The Chairman of the Saline County Republican Party Bob Holmes has filed a Petition for Discovery Recount with the Saline County Clerk’s office.
Holmes filed on behalf of Mike Gribble and Jeff Street, who were Republican candidates for Sheriff and county board trustee, respectively. The petition requests a manual recount of ballots and access to any computer files in County Clerk’s office which have election records on them.
Buchanan said her office has been in contact with the attorney representing the plaintiffs and has agreed on a date for the recount. The recount will be held 10 a.m. Dec. 15 in the election offices of the county clerk at the Saline County Courthouse.
Mike Gribble when reached by telephone had no comment to make on the petition, stating that he wanted to speak to the County Republican Party Chairman before making any public statement. Buchanan stated that her office was prepared for the recount.
“We have agreed on a date within the time limits of the law and we are ready to cooperate with the recount,” Buchanan said.
Buchanan said it is allowed by statute that 25 percent (7 out of 28) of the districts be examined for a discovery recount and it is up to the candidates to pick the districts.
"I don't think they (the Republicans) are looking for mistakes in my office or with my employees or my deputy clerk. Our work and our integrity is not in question."
Holmes said, "It is one of our rights under state statute with the election being so close. We are not accusing anyone of wrongdoing."
The sheriff’s race involved a difference of 24 votes in Keith Brown’s favor. In a two-year unexpired seat on the county board the difference was 10 votes in Mike McKinnies favor.
