Recount needed in Wausa School Board election

CENTER - A mandatory recount is required to decide the winner of the third and final seat for the Wausa School Board.

After meeting with the Knox County Canvassing Board, Knox County Election Commissioner Joann Fischer announced that a mandatory recount will take place in the election.

The Canvassing Board found two ballots for write-in candidate Derek Cunningham that had not been recorded during the initial count but were determined should have been.

The two votes thin the race between Brian T. Wakeley and Cunningham. Wakeley currently leads the race for the third and final seat, 228 to 225.

Both additional votes were in Knox County.

Mark Dawson and Michael D. Kumm earned the first two seats from the election. Dawson led the race with 384 votes, and Kumm had 309. Neither are in jeopardy from the recount.

The mandatory recount is required to be done by Cedar, Knox, and Pierce counties. Cedar Election Commissioner Dave Dowling conducted his recount on Thursday morning and found no change in the results from the initial count. 

Knox County will conduct its recount on Friday morning. Fischer says both Wakeley and Cunningham have been contacted to notify them of the recount if they wish to be present.

Pierce County will hold their recount on either Friday or Monday. Pierce Election Commissioner Shannon Wragge is notifying her Canvassing Board to determine when they can meet to conduct the recount.