11-30-2023 12:51am

Three Warren County Races Will Be Recounted

Beth Callahan Editor

LEBANON, OH -- After Tuesday's Board of Election meeting to certify election results, it was found that three candidate races will need to be recounted. The Franklin Township Trustee race, the Mason Council race for the third open seat, and the winner for the second seat for Mason City School District Board Member will all need to be recounted.

According to the Ohio Code, a recount is mandated when the vote "is equal to or less than one-half of one percent (0.5%) of the total votes cast on the candidate contest."

While the county can issue a recount for Franklin Township and Mason City Council, it cannot issue the recount for Mason City School District. "Because Mason City School District is a multi county recount, the Secretary of State has to issue the recount," explained Warren County's Director of Elections Brian Sleeth.

Candidates involved in recounts are:

Franklin Township Trustee — incumbent Brian S Morris, who obtained 49.85% of the votes, and his challenger Rob Rose, who received 50.15% of the votes.
Mason City Council (for the third open seat) — Josh Styrcula, who currently holds 19.49% of the cast ballots and Gina Sanders who has 19.32% of the current votes.
The Mason City School Board Member (for the second open seat) is between Desiree Batsche, who currently has 30.28% votes, and Danni Tymitz who received 30.15% of the votes.

"There is quite a vote difference in all 3 races and it will be highly unlikely that the winners will change," Sleeth noted, adding that the recount date won't be set until they hear from Secretary of State.

Once they do receive notice from the State, the Warren County BOE will have 10 days to complete the recount, Sleeth said.