Right now, the Senate District 49 race between Democrat Diane Sands and Republican Dick Haines has been flagged by the Secretary of State as a race possibly in need of a recount. Haines is currently losing by seven votes, but seems to be thrilled things are as close as they are.

"I kind of get a kick out of it," Haines said. "I just didn't do much conventional campaigning, whereas my competition must have campaigned to beat the band. I kind of think that that is pretty neat (laughs). I'm chuckling about it. Win or lose, I am enjoying that part of it because I didn't have the time or the energy to go out and campaign like I have in the past, and yet I've come this close to winning."

Right now, candidates are waiting for all of the provisional ballots to be counted. If there is a recount, there are a few possible outcomes based on whether the race is tied (automatic recount), within the margin of 1/4 of one percent (county pays for recount after petition) or between the margin of 1/2 and 1/4 of one percent (losing candidate pays for recount after petition).

Haines says he will definitely ask for a recount if the county will pay for it, but says he hasn't decided if he would pay for a recount personally.

According to Missoula County  Elections Administrator Rebecca Connors, the total cost of a recount is expected to be around four or five hundred dollars.

 

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