Prince takes lead Tekoa Council Position 1

TEKOA — During this year’s General Election, the vote counts have fluctuated between Mandi Prince and Todd Jensen running for the City of Tekoa Council Position 1 since Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 7 first count.

As of Tuesday, Nov. 14, the Thursday vote count came out to a total of 256 votes, with Prince taking the lead from an earlier tie at 137, 53.1%.

Prince gained 73 votes during the Monday, Nov. 13 vote count. Jensen fell behind at 119 votes, 46.12%.

Jensen jokingly told the Gazette on Tuesday, Nov. 14, “I only bought two votes. I would like to thank all who voted for me, even the two I bought,” Jensen said.

Prince could not be reached at the time of press on Tuesday, Nov. 14.

Friday, Nov. 10, the position was tied, with a total vote count of 210, both at 104 votes, 49.52%.

Jensen told the Gazette Friday, Nov. 10, “Per Ricky Bobby, if you’re not first, you’re last, but what are you if it’s a tie,” he said.

The race started with Jensen in the lead at 79 votes, 54.11%, on Tuesday, Nov. 7, with a total vote count of 146. Prince was behind at 67 votes, 45.89% on Nov. 7.

Both could not be reached at the time of press on Tuesday, Nov. 7.

Whitman County Auditor Sandy Jamison said that results are unofficial until the official results are released Tuesday, Nov. 28 upon election certification.

“The results are unofficial, and could very much change as we continue to process ballots,” Jamison said.

A total of 6,862 ballots were counted as of the last tabulation Tuesday, Nov. 14 at 5:35 p.m., and there are an estimated 2,800 ballots left to count. Voter turnout is at 30.41%.

The next ballot count will be on Thursday, Nov. 16, at 8 p.m.