When preliminary results of the State House District 20 Republican primary runoff election were announced last Wednesday, Jonathan Wilk, of Goldsby, was ahead of Mike Whaley, of Blanchard, by two votes. The close tally ensured that 9 additional provisional votes would be verified and counted, and candidates would be given the opportunity to ask for a recount.
On Thursday, Whaley filed a petition challenging the results and asking for a manual recount of absentee and election day ballots cast. The recount was granted and is scheduled for today (Thursday) at the district courts in both counties.
Last Friday, the provisional ballots were checked by the election boards in both McClain and Cleveland Counties, and added to the total, resulting in Wilk adding five of the provisionals and Whaley adding two. The new total put Wilk up by five votes. Two of the provisional ballots were not verifiable.
In asking for the recount, Whaley paid a deposit of $1,500 to the Sec- retary of the State Election Board. The deposit is used to defray the actual expenses of a recount, according to the Election Board. The recounts will take place starting at 8:30 a.m. in Cleveland County District Court, and at 9 a.m. in McClain County District Court. After the court’s determinations, the election boards will have final results.
The winner of this race will continue on to the General Election in November where he will face Democrat Mitchell Jacob, of Newcastle.
