The results are finally in, but we might not have heard the last about Tuesday's primary vote in Davison County. The auditor's office spent much of the day recounting ballots after a machine malfunction on Tuesday led to some voting errors.
The Davison County auditor's office just finalized the recount late Thursday afternoon, and we're told the final results did not change the outcome of any of the local races, including the contest for Mitchell's mayor. But at least one candidate wants Davison County residents to return to the polls and vote all over again.
It was primary day, take two, at the Davison County Courthouse.
"And when you have a problem, acknowledge it. Take care of it; take care of business. Do the right thing," Davison County Commission Chairman John Claggett said.
A technician worked out the bugs in the machine that was over-counting test ballots Thursday morning allowing the auditor's office to count the actual votes cast on Tuesday.
For the candidates, it was election night anxiety all over again.
"It's stressful again, but it's kind of exciting to actually think that maybe there is a different outcome," Davison County Treasurer Brenda Veldheer said.
But Davison County's treasurer, who lost her re-election bid, may seek a re-vote.
"My concern is the ballots have just been sitting in the office, what have happened to them in the meantime? How many people had contact with them? I'm really questioning the whole process right now," Veldheer said.
But the auditor's office says all the ballots were sealed and secure over the two days since the primary. And to these election officials and to some other candidates, the democratic process can, on occasion, take its time to get it right in the end.
"Lessons learned; just be prepared," Claggett said.
Had there been a serious malfunction Thursday, Davison County officials were prepared to bring all the ballots to Sioux Falls and have them counted in the Minnehaha County auditor's office.
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