William H. “Skeet” Phillips has filed for a recount of the votes that were cast March 2 in the race for Precinct 2 County Commissioner, the Messenger learned late last week.

According to unofficial election returns, Phillips, who challenged incumbent Precinct 2 County Commissioner Ray Clark, received 1,649 votes, or 49.77 per cent of the total in the Kaufman County Republican Primary on March 2. According to unofficial election returns, Clark received 1,664 votes, or 50.23 per cent.

According to Kaufman County Republican Party Chairman Bill Baker, the recount will begin this Friday, March 12 at 9:00 a. m. at the County Courthouse Annex in Kaufman.

Each candidate can be present, or may send one representative.

The recount will involve counting early voting ballots as well as each voting box in Precinct 2. If an individual voted early at any voting location in the county, they were given a ballot for their voting box. It is recorded in that manner.

“For instance, if you live in box 32 and voted at the Kaufman Annex, you were given a ballot that read box 32”, Baker explained.

The petitioner filing for the recount is responsible for the cost. The individual is required to make a deposit to the Kaufman County Republican Party Chairman in the form of cash, money order or cashier’s check for a sum equal to $100.00 for each voting box. The total cost of the recount will be determined once the recount is complete.

The paper ballots will be recounted by a board appointed by the Republican Party Chairman. The electronic ballots are counted by running a paper tape of the votes on each electronic machine. The results of the recount will be made available to the media and to the public as soon as the recount is completed.

The outcome of the recount is final, although there may be other avenues of relief available to the one contesting the election, Baker said.

The Forney Messenger attempted to obtain a statement on the recount from Mr. Phillips, but he did not return our call.