Vote count continues

Oct. 11, 2005

DARRELL L. BREESE\Frontiersman reporter

PALMER - The election has been over for nearly a full week, yet the apparent winners in a pair of tightly contested Mat-Su Borough races may have to cool their heels for up to six more days as the borough's canvass board counts and reviews votes.

According to Borough Clerk Michelle McGehee, it will take a little longer than expected to determine a winner in the election for School Board Seat E and Assembly District 4.

&#8221The sheer volume of the votes to review means we have to change the certification to Monday, Oct. 17 (from today),“ McGehee said Monday. &#8221The canvass board is working through the process as fast as they can, but there are too many ballots to review to finish things in time for the original meeting.“

The canvass board has five members: Geraldine Keeling, Fran Strother, Marva Denblecker, Beverly Zobel and Vivian Smith. Keeling chairs the board.

While the canvass board labors through the process, school board candidates Mike Chmielewski and Cheryl Turner and assembly candidates Mary Kvalheim and Greg Koskela can only wait.

The initial counting of the ballots following the closing of the polls Oct. 4 gave Turner a 445-vote lead, with nearly 2,000 questioned and absentee ballots for the canvass board to review.

In the assembly race, incumbent Mary Kvalheim holds an 11-vote lead, before the review of questioned and absentee ballots.

The wait doesn't appear to bother any of the candidates.

&#8221I'd like to know the outcome now, who wouldn't?“ Chmielewski said. &#8221But I don't know any way to speed up the process. For now, I'm happy to wait.“

&#8221A little bit of me is anxious,“ Koskela said. &#8221I'm patient and willing to wait throughout the process.“

Kvalheim put the whole process in perspective.

&#8221The voting is over with and it is out of our hands,“ Kvalheim said. &#8221Now all we have to do is sit and wait while they review each ballot.“

The process is intensive for the canvass board. Its members must verify the residency of each questioned and absentee ballot, cross reference it with registration sheets from each precinct, and determine the validity of each vote.

Each candidate has spent time observing the work of the canvass board and has been impressed by its efforts.

&#8221I've gained a whole new respect for the election process,“ Koskela said. &#8221They work hard to be fair and cross-check everything.“

The narrow margin separating Kvalheim and Koskela has both contemplating the possibility of a recount.

&#8221If the vote is close enough, I'd consider calling for a recount,“ Koskela said. &#8221Whether a 50-vote difference justifies a recount, I don't know. We'll have to wait and see.“

Kvalheim takes a different approach, considering that a recount would cost the candidate requesting one $100 per precinct. &#8221I'd rather spend my money on Christmas presents,“ Kvalheim said of the possibility of a recount. &#8221But if things are close enough, I would have to consider a few less gifts this year.“

Despite trailing by more than 400 votes, Chmielewski hopes things will turn in his favor when the count is complete. &#8221The nature of the voters who cast questioned and absentee ballots is very different from the regular voter,“ he said. &#8221I believe that difference gives me an advantage as the board counts the votes.“

The canvass board will first verify the legitimacy of each ballot before counting the remaining questioned and absentee ballots.