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Watkins wants runoff recount

Candidate questions eligibility of some voters in JP 7 race

news@theeveningtimes.com

The votes have been counted, but a candidate on the losing end of the only runoff race in the county.

A recount was filed last Thursday concerning the results of the March 22 runoff election for the Crittenden County Quorum Court Justice of the Peace District 7 seat by candidate Kyle Watkins, who turned in the request to county officials.

Incumbent Ronnie Marconi held off the challenger Watkins in the balloting last Tuesday by a slim margin.

The runoff between Democrat became necessary after Watkins edged Marconi 128-127 on the primary election night March 1 that also eliminated third place finisher John Moore.

But only half those voters returned to the polls to settle the runoff. Polls were open only in the JP District 7 precincts for the runoff, with voting was restricted to those who had actually voted in the primary as Democrats or who had not cast ballots at all in the primary. Those who voted in the Republican primary were not eligible to vote in the runoff.

Both Marconi and Watkins were on hand for the runoff vote count. The race was close as results trickled in after polls closed at 7:30.

As Edmondson, Anthonyville and West Memphis votes were counted, the tally was neck-and-neck, but when the votes from Horseshoe Lake arrived later (owing to the longer drive for poll workers), the incumbent Marconi pulled away, with a final result of 74 for Marconi and 52 for Watkins.

Watkins explained his reasons for filing a recount of runoff, saying he wanted assurance that the votes were all from Democrats who had turned out the first time as required in the runoff process.

“I just want to make sure, so I asked for a double check,” said Watkins as he left the County Court House Thursday. “I want it certified that voters had actually voted previously as Democrats.”

The County Election Commission had previously scheduled a meeting this evening to certify the runoff election. It is not known if the recount will be granted, and if so, if it will affect the scheduled meeting.

By John Rech