By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
The Kansas primary election ended on Aug. 2 at 7 p.m. But the battle is still raging in a few races around the state. For Barton County Election Officer Bev Schmeidler, that meant organizing an independent board to recount votes as requested by the Secretary of State's office. She updated the Barton County Commission on the recount at Wednesday's meeting.
"The staff came in Saturday," Schmeidler said. "We called 60-70 people, I think, and finally got nine people to agree to come in. One called in sick, so we have eight people who thought they were done (Tuesday). There was a miscommunication between the party asking for the recount and the Secretary of State's office."
During a conference call with the Secretary of State's office last week, county election officials were told to watch for emails over the weekend regarding recounts. At first, Barton County was notified it needed to recount both the constitutional amendment ballots and the Republican race for Kansas Treasurer. Monday, the office was informed it had to recount only the treasurer's race.
As of Tuesday evening, the Secretary of State's office reported the treasurer's race between Steven Johnson and Caryn Tyson was separated by just 475 votes statewide, with Johnson in the lead. Tyson originally requested a recount in 55 counties, but with a price tag of $46,000, she narrowed that request to just four counties, as well as advanced votes in Dickinson and Barton counties, and the city of Great Bend.
The eight Barton County counters were back in action Wednesday. Four counters, in one of two rooms, pore over every ballot. The groups then switch rooms and count the other ballots to confirm a total. Regular staff in the Barton County Clerk's office cannot participate in the recount. There have been no discrepancies in Barton County so far.
"I appreciate people in the county being willing to step up for that because that's got to be a thankless job," said Commissioner Jennifer Schartz.
An original request to recount all constitutional amendment ballots carried a $229,000 price tag. That recount has been narrowed to just nine Kansas counties and does not include Barton County.