Tressler asks for runoff recount in Forsyth

The results of the Aug. 5 runoff between Forsyth County District 5 candidates Julie Tressler and Jim Boff are still up in the air.

Tressler announced Aug. 12 she has requested an automatic recount in order to ensure 39 missing votes are accounted for in the Republican Primary Runoff.

Under Georgia State Statute 21-2-495, an automatic recount may be requested when the margin in an election is less than one percent.

In the runoff, 39 votes were cast and not counted which could significantly impact the outcome of the election since the election margin was only 30 votes.

"We're hoping that through the Automatic Recount, we can find the missing votes," Tressler said. "Otherwise, there will be no option other than holding a new election because more votes were lost than the margin. On Friday, I asked the Board to hold off on certification so that the cost of a new election might be avoided, but they wouldn't."

Tressler said she felt it important to ensure every voter is heard.

"It is important to note that we do not know if these votes were for me or my opponent, but, either way, the voices of these voters were not heard," she said. "Anybody who goes to the trouble of casting a lawful vote in a primary runoff should have their vote count. It defies logic that 39 people showed up, intending to vote, and decided not to vote in any race."

Joshua W. Jones, a Republican Strategist and Consultant said a new election could be in the county's future.

"Georgia law clearly states that if there are more irregular votes than the margin, you are obligated under law to hold a new election," he said. "While there is no way to know if the results of the 39 missing votes will impact the outcome of the August 5 election, one thing is clear: we must ensure those votes are counted and we must ensure electronic voting is error proof."
- www.northfulton.com

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