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Dem says he plans to continue county board run
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Tuesday, August 12, 2008 9:59 AM EDT
DURAND - Democrat Les Schneider said it doesn't matter what the Shiawassee County Board of Canvassers says about the number of write-in votes he received in the primary election.
He claims he'll still run for Shiawassee County Commissioner in District 4.
County Clerk Lauri Braid said the Shiawassee County Board of Canvassers may decide whether the Durand resident received enough write-in votes to have his name on the Nov. 4 general election ballot.
Braid said Schneider needed 21 votes in the Aug. 5 primary, but preliminary figures show he netted 17.
At issue is whether voters fulfilled the requirements to nominate Schneider via write-in. Braid said electors needed to fill in a bubble on the ballot and write Schneider's name.
“You have to do both in order for the vote to be valid,” Braid said.
The Shiawassee County Board of Canvassers must certify all ballots within two weeks of each election.
Democrats initially thought Schneider received more than 30 votes election night.
“It's up to their interpretation,” Schneider said of the Board of Canvassers. “It's the intent that the voter had, because how many Democrats with the name of Schneider were running?”
If the Board of Canvassers rules against Schneider he can request a recount at $10 per precinct. There are four precincts within his district, which covers Vernon Township, the city of Durand and parts of Venice Township.
“We would go through each precinct that he would ask for a recount on and we would review the ballot and make sure the numbers are correct,” Braid said. “Anybody can request a recount, but you have to allege an error or misconduct.”
Whether the total is 21 votes, 17 or possibly fewer, Schneider said he'll still actively campaign for the November election.
“That's not going to stop me. Win, lose or draw, I'm still running,” Schneider said. “I'm running and I'm not going to go away. We need change and I feel that I am still the man that can do it.”