By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
There were 16 provisional ballots and one absentee ballot
in Nephi City's primary election but none of them changed
the outcome of the election.
Mark Jones remained the high vote for mayor with 603
votes and Robert Painter came in second with 191 votes. That
means that those two will pair off in the general election
in November.
Hans Braun was eliminated as a mayoral candidate in the
November election with a vote of 181.
"Of the 16 provisional ballots cast," said Blair Painter,
city recorder and, as such, election official, "the county
clerk verified that one of those was not a registered voter.
As a result, 15 provisional votes were verified."
The absentee ballot was postmarked Oct. 1, which was
clearly before the cutoff date, and so it was also valid,
said Painter.
Brent Bowles and Jim Wilkey, council members, were
assigned by the mayor to tally the provisional ballot
because neither had a stake in the election.
Mike Jones, council member, was not present.
Braun, who was present, picked up picked up two votes
with the provisional vote counted. Jones picked up an
additional 11 votes and R. Painter added three.
Counting the provisional vote added 13 votes to Wayne S.
Jarrett's total for 439; Kent Boyd Park gained four votes
for 393; LaDaun Ray gained seven votes for 374; Greg Rowley
added three votes for 421; and Roy Ward added three votes
for 227.
Ward, therefore, will not run in the November
election.
"A canvass is an audit of the election procedures and not
a recount," said Painter. "The mayor and council are to
canvass the Primary election returns no sooner than three
days and no later than seven days after the election."
During the canvass, held on Columbus Day at 6 p.m., which
meant that city officials had to give up some of their
holiday time, council members and the mayor, Chad Brough,
the number of registered voters, as certified by the county
clerk, were entered on a form.
The poll book, containing the name of each voter who cast
a ballot and the tally list were reviewed.
The statement of the disposition of ballots was also
carefully reviewed.
"It is important to make certain that all the ballots are
accounted for," said Painter.
Ballots come sealed in a package and are in even numbers,
said Painter. "Each precinct receives the number of ballots
they are issued based on the percent of those who voted in
the last election."
The portion of the election returns containing the
ballots must be kept sealed and unaltered for 22 months,
after which time, if there is not a contest commenced, they
must be destroyed without opening or examining the
contents.
All of the election materials have been kept safely
locked up prior to the canvass and will be locked up again,
now that it is over.
Only 27 percent of the voters went to the polls in the
Primary election.
There were 851 registered votes in Precinct #1 and of
those, 224 voted. In Precinct #2, there were 879 registered
voter and 219 voted, in Precinct #3, there were 693 possible
votes and 171 voting, and in Precinct #4, there were 1.163
registered voters with 360 casting ballots.
Traditionally, the municipal election seems to draw less
voters, said Painter. That is true even for the general
election in November.
In 1999, there were 2,297 registered voters and 985 who
voted; In 2001, there were 2,777 votes possible and 952
voted and in 2003, there were 3,190 voters registered and
1,319 who voted.
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