Posted on 11/30/2004 11:45:43 PM PST by reaganaut
HELENA (AP) - A two-day recount of a Montana legislative race that will determine the balance of power in the state House resulted in a tie Tuesday, prompting an immediate legal challenge and sparking partisan allegations of wrongdoing.
The tally of votes in House District 12 by Lake County officials showed Democrat Jeanne Windham of Polson and Constitution Party candidate Rick Jore of Ronan in a dead heat at 1,559 votes apiece. Initial results showed Jore with a two-vote lead.
Windham, who contends five ballots were illegally counted for Jore, obtained a court order Tuesday that prohibits Secretary of State Bob Brown from certifying results of the recount and bars Gov. Judy Martz from appointing someone to the crucial seat.
The winner will determine the political muscle in the House.
(Excerpt) Read more at billingsgazette.com ...
I think it's only because the conservatives over there are so fractured into different parties.
Who knew there were so many Constitution party members in Montana?
LOL!
Hey BSF, can you splain this?
Since when is a two vote edge a tie?
Lake County is over in NW Montana, where a number of Liberal transplants from CA and WA escaping the urban sprawl and bringing their Socialist agenda's into the state live. Another County that is becoming more Liberal is Gallatin County, where Robert Redford, Tom Brokaw, and David Letterman call home.
I should add Ted Turner lives in Gallatin County as well.
Who knew there were so many people in Montana?
We all know a two vote edge isn't a tie, but it does kick in the automatic recount. There was a report in the Billings Gazette last week that said both candidates were attending orientation in Helena, which seems to suggest this fiasco could be drawn out for quite a while.
Thanks for the info.
I knew you'd know!
You're welcome. :)
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