WESTON -- The Democratic nomination for Lewis County commissioner is an even closer race after an official vote canvass.
As of 10 a.m. Monday, the tally is 1,007 votes for candidate Robert Golden and 1,004 for candidate Michael Holden, according to Mary Lou Myers, county clerk. That margin is one vote closer than an initial count on Election Day.
Candidates have until 10 a.m. Wednesday to file for a recount and post the required $250 bond to cover potential costs, Myers said. Otherwise, the vote will be certified as final, and Golden will face Republican candidate Bob Conley in the fall general election.
Last week, Holden said he would not consider a recount until the canvass was complete. He was not reachable for comment Monday afternoon, nor was Golden.
In the case of a recount, Myers said every candidate who wants to participate in the process must post the $250 bond, whether he is the requester of the recount, or not. Participation is defined as the ability to question the counting process.
Myers said any recount date would be set by the commissioners and would likely occur at the end of May or early in June.
The vote canvass, a standard procedure done by the county commission, did not lead to significant changes in any other race, Myers added.
Ironically, this is not the first Lewis County commissioner's race to be so close. Myers said the last general election had a one-point difference that did lead to a recount.
"The person who says, 'My vote doesn't make a difference,' ... it does," said Myers. "Every vote does count, and it does mean something."
There was a 40 percent turnout of registered voters for the primary election.
Regional editor Nora Edinger can be reached at 626-1403.
