No change in commissioner race following recount

ISANTI COUNTY – Over 4,000 ballots were recounted on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2008, but the results remained the same.
Isanti County Commissioner Larry Southerland held onto his seat by eight votes.
Challenger Terry Turnquist had requested the recount.
During the recount at the Isanti County Government Center, both candidates were present. The recount began at 1:30 p.m. and lasted until 5 p.m.
Each ballot was examined by hand, and if anyone disagreed with the results it was re-examined, according to Isanti County Auditor Terry Treichel. "There was no issue with the way people marked their ballots," he said.
In the recount, the legality of each vote is not questioned. "Basically, what we're doing is determining the count of votes," explained Turnquist.
The county canvassing board will meet to certify the results on Friday morning.
At that point, Turnquist has seven days to contest the results in the court system if he feels there is any irregularity.
Treichel was pleased that the results remained the same. "The machines proved accurate again," he noted.
The one issue that arose during the recount was that half the precinct judges did not initial the absentee ballots they opened up before running them through the machines. This occurred in Wyanett, Springvale and Maple Ridge Townships.
Treichel pointed out that this recount was a preliminary of the recount that will occur next Thursday and Friday when the results for Minnesota Senator are scrutinized.