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A Tulsa County judge has ruled the recount in the Tulsa mayor's race can go forward. The recount was requested by third-place finisher Brent VanNorman who said a recount is warranted, considering the closeness of the race and reports from some supporters of possible issues on election day.
"We want it to be accurate. We want to make sure it is done in a very systematic way," said VanNorman.
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A Tulsa County District Court judge will decide whether or not two election recounts go forward in a hearing set for this morning. The first recount request is for Tulsa City Council District 3, where Susan Frederick lost to Jackie Dutton in the initial tabulations by 186 votes. The judge will then consider a recount in the Mayor's race, requested by third place finisher Brent VanNorman. The latest figures that include provisional ballots show VanNorman trailing leader Monroe Nichols by 728 votes and Karen Keith by 438 votes. VanNorman says the race is simply too close to not call for a recount. If the judge grants the recounts, they will take place at the future Tulsa County Election Board offices. The Tulsa County Sheriff's office will be responsible for securing the ballots during the hand recount.
As it now stands, Nichols is set to face Keith in a runoff in November.