SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::
Griffin Mayoral candidate Daa’ood Amin has requested a recount in the Nov. 5 race in which the uncertified result shows he trailed his Republican opponent, Doug Hollberg, by 15 votes
“He (Amin) did request a recount,” said Spalding County Election Supervisor Marcia Ridley, who explained the requirements to initiate the process. “It (the result) has to be within a certain margin. In this case, it’s less than one percent between the two candidates.”
The results of the election, which have not yet been certified by the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office, shows Hollberg leading with 1,374 votes to Amin’s 1,359. There were also five write-in votes.
Hollberg on Wednesday released a statement regarding the election and recount.
“I appreciate the support of my family, friends and the voters of the City of Griffin. I also want to express to Mr. Amin my blessings and praise for his positive campaign that focused on the opportunities, as well as the challenges our hometown faces as we continue to work together as the citizens expect and deserve. No matter the final outcome, we will continue to be friends and support the community we both love,” Hollberg said in a prepared statement. “As most are aware, the margin of victory was narrow and I do anticipate a recount prior to an official election certification. I look forward to a bright future for Griffin and will work hard to make Griffin a great place to live, work, play and retire. Again, thank you for your support and the opportunity to serve as your At-Large Commissioner the past 16 years.”
The recount will take place Friday.
“We’ll just rerun the memory cards the same way we did – recount everything,” Ridley said.
With the electronic voting machines used, there are no paper records of each ballot cast. That information is instead stored on a memory chip in each individual machine.
“And you have the certificate people sign when they come in – the check in process,” Ridley said.
In the Griffin Board of Commissioners District 2 race, incumbent Cora Flowers was reelected with 229 votes over her opponent, Ronnie Lowe, who garnered 203 votes. One write-in vote was also cast.
The District 4 incumbent, Commissioner Brock Turner, did not face opposition.
The Griffin-Spalding County School System ESPLOST referendum was approved with 3,819 voters – or 65.42 percent – in favor, and 2,019 voters – or 34.58 percent – opposing.
Of Spalding County’s 43,171 registered voters, 5,903 cast ballots in Tuesday’s municipal elections and Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST) referendum, for a 13.67 percent turnout.
