Marion council race recount happening this week

The recount for the Marion City Council at-large race is underway in the race that has incumbent Randy Strnad and challenger Dale Monroe deadlocked at 3,244 votes each.

The three-member recount board’s first meeting was Monday in Linn County’s Jean Oxley Public Service Center in Cedar Rapids, and the board has completed the recount on three polling places, Linn County Deputy Commissioner of Elections Matt Warfield told The Gazette on Monday afternoon.

The recount board is counting each ballot by hand. Doing the counting are Bob Nielly, designated by Monroe; Frank Sherman, designated by Strnad; and Grant Harper, agreed upon by both candidates.

“The recount board is focused on accuracy and is not considering how long it will take at this time,” Warfield said.

Linn County supervisors opted last week to not draw the winner’s name but proceed with the recount, as requested by Monroe. If the recount is still tied, the winner will be decided in a drawing.

The recount has a deadline of Nov. 27, but it could be done before then, Warfield said.

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