BENTON COUNTY, ARKANSAS, Ark. — Election officials wrapped up a recount for the District 1 justice of the peace race from last week's primary.
Candidate Michael McCaskey petitioned for a recount in his race against incumbent Justice of the Peace Jeff Dunn after preliminary primary election results from the county showed McCaskey trailing by 79 votes.
According to Benton County Election Coordinator Kim Dennison, the recount produced the same exact results as were tallied in the county’s preliminary primary election results from March 5.
McCaskey said he requested the recount after hearing concerns from voters around election security and integrity.
"I'm not thinking that I'm going to somehow go from 79 votes behind to suddenly becoming the justice of the peace," McCaskey said. “What I really was doing this for is because everyone was so concerned, and so I thought this was a fantastic way."
The recount, which started on March 11, consisted of election officials and poll workers counting the 1,503 ballots cast in this race by hand. To cover some of the costs of the recount, McCaskey had to pay a fee.
"I will do everything I can to make sure that your vote is counted correctly,” McCaskey said. “Since I had this opportunity, you know, it does cost some money. I did have to pay a little bit of money to actually get this done, but I thought it was very well worth the price."
Before the results were final, Dennison was confident that the recount would show the same results as Election Day.
"I expect it to be the exact same,” Dennison said. “We've done multiple recounts over the years of having this voting equipment, and it has always come out identical to what the results were cast on election night."
Dunn, who is now the winner of the seat, also expected similar results.
"I have 100% confidence in the Benton County Election Commission,” Dunn said. “They are the state of the art in the state of Arkansas. They are fair, accurate, and secure, every time. I have zero concerns."
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