La Plata County Commissioner Brad Blake, who was defeated by 23 votes, will not request a recount of the Nov. 6 election, according to La Plata County Clerk & Recorder Tiffany Parker.
Parker said Monday that election results have been finalized, and the official tallies were sent to the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office.
“We’re all finished,” she said.
Parker said this is the latest the Clerk’s Office has completed final results, a consequence of two extremely tight races – one for La Plata County commissioner and one for a mill levy increase for the Pine River Library in Bayfield.
A “risk-limiting audit” was conducted Nov. 17, Parker said. On Monday, a “county canvass board,” which consists of representatives from each political party, reviewed the election process and results.
“They basically review the entire election from beginning to end and sign off, which they did,” Parker said.
Ultimately, Blake, a Republican, was defeated by Democratic challenger Clyde Church by 23 votes, and the tax increase for the Pine River Library failed by nine votes.
Blake, as well as representatives with the Pine River Library, both had the option to request a recount of the election. But neither did, Parker said.
Blake and Shelly Walchak, library director, did not immediately return calls seeking comment Monday afternoon.
Parker said it is a “huge compliment” that both Blake and representatives with the Pine River Library trust her office’s work during the election.
“I’m honored,” she said.
In the past, Parker said previous recounts have always shown the La Plata County Clerk and Recorder’s Office was correct in its tallies. In a few instances, there has been a difference of one or two votes, max, she said.
Any interested member of the public can demand a recount up until Dec. 4, Parker said, but they would have to pay for it. Parker estimated a recount would cost around $4,000.
jromeo@durangoherald.com
