Recount for sheriff's election to be streamed live today

Seneca County Board of Elections personnel are to host a Facebook Live stream of their meeting at 5:05 p.m. today. The meeting is an official recount of the Seneca County sheriff's race. During last week's official count, results showed Tiffin Police Chief Fred Stevens with 3,719 votes, Capt. David Pahl of the sheriff's office with 3,710 votes and Sgt. Matthew Huffman of Haskins Police Department with 652 votes. According to Ohio Revised Code, a recount is required in any race that has a margin of victory that is a half percent or less, and that requirement applies to the sheriff election. In chapter 9 of the Election Official Manual from the secretary of state's office, the recount is to include a manual count of at least 5% of ballots cast across at least two randomly selected precincts. If the figures from those precincts match the official results from May 18, the recount is finalized and a winner is confirmed. Due to ongoing COVID-19 health precautions, election officials are asking residents to view an online live stream of the meeting and the recount, which will be available on the Seneca County Board of Elections Facebook page or at the link. https://tinyurl.com/y7j5ybba. A resident need not be a member of Facebook to use the link. Elections personnel note that results will not be available at the beginning of the live stream. Due to open meeting laws and the health precautions, the board is seeking to be as transparent as possible by providing a way for the public meeting to be viewed by anyone. The video is being streamed in an effort to accomplish this by showing residents what occurs during the board meeting. The meeting will include an explanation from Board President Jim Fruth of how the recount must be conducted, according to state law and direction from the Ohio Secretary of State's office. To learn more about recounts, visit the Secretary of State's website, www.sos.state.oh.us/globalassets/elections/directives/2019/eom_12-2019/eom_ch9_2019-12-18.pdf. For more information, email county Public Relations Coordinator Jimmy Flint at JFlint@senecacountyohio.gov.