Latah County recount adds 2,343 ballots
Late addition of early votes leaves all local and statewide race results unchanged in the Moscow area.
By Justin Brooks ·
Latah County reported 2,343 additional ballots on Tuesday, figures that were missing from the state’s online election results on election night. The Latah County Clerk’s Office completed a full recount of all votes cast in the Nov. 3 election to include these omissions. The recount was overseen by the Idaho Secretary of State’s Office and open to the public.
The missing ballots came from in-person early voting across all parts of the county. Although these votes were counted in the county’s tabulation machines, the results were not fully transferred to the state’s reporting system. A routine post-election review by local officials identified this discrepancy, prompting the recount.
With the new ballots included, the total number of reported votes for Latah County is now 18,104. The outcome of every local race and ballot issue remains the same as previously reported. The same holds true for the relevant legislative districts and statewide races.
The closest measure on the ballot was the Moscow School District No. 281 Plant Facilities Reserves Fund Levy. This measure passed with 7,720 votes in favor, or 60.34 percent. Voters cast 5,074 votes against, or 39.66 percent. The levy required 60 percent approval to pass.
Latah County Clerk Julie Fry stated in a release that the county takes its responsibility to report accurate results seriously. She noted that the error should not have happened but expressed gratitude to her staff and the Secretary of State’s Office for verifying the results. Fry said the team ensured every ballot was properly accounted for.
Secretary of State Phil McGrane said in the same release that elections have built-in safeguards to ensure accurate counting. He explained that his team went immediately to Latah County upon discovering the discrepancy. McGrane said the recount went back to the source, the paper ballots, to verify the results and give voters confidence.
The updated results are available on VoteIdaho.gov. The Latah County Board of Commissioners will present final results for canvass and certification on Tuesday, Nov. 12.
