Recount Continues For Tulsa Mayoral Election

The Tulsa County Election has counted about half of the ballots from the mayor’s race and expects to finish the recount either late Monday or Tuesday.

Board Secretary Gwen Freeman estimated the recount is costing at least $10,000 per day.

Eight sets of paid precinct workers and volunteer campaign monitors are on the job.

More than 25,000 ballots are yet to be recounted.

“We're still sorting through the precincts today and thankfully our people got some rest overnight and we're watching over our people, giving breaks to make sure they don't get too tired,” said Freeman.

The process has two precinct workers checking each ballot, and two people tallying the count.

The candidates also have their own people watching.

When there's a dispute — the ballot goes to the election board members, for a decision.

So far, Freeman said the recount and the original count are so similar, “It's not anything at this point that would make even the slightest bit of difference.”

Monday afternoon, the Osage County Election Board will recount 1,170 ballots in the six precincts, inside Tulsa, and outside Tulsa County, near downtown.

Third place finisher Brent Van Norman requested the recount and by statute is paying $12,000 toward the cost.

Freeman said she hopes to quickly certify the election because the two-week delay has shortened deadlines to get ballots ready for November.

“Once we certify the election after the recount is done, it can go to the printer. When it goes to the printer, they have to take time to get them ready and we have to have them ready to go out the door to our military folks by Sept. 20,” she said.