Candidates request recounts in 4 township primary races

Democratic candidate for a seat on the Northfield Township Board of Trustees Michael J. Magda filed for a recount Friday.

The Democratic ticket in the August primary was a full slate of five candidates in the township. Douglas R. Del Favero, David E. Gibbons Jr., Athena Trentin and Magda each garnered about 18 percent to 19 percent of the vote, but lost to Tracy S. Thomas, who won with 23.94 percent of the vote.

In Augusta Township, Democratic candidates that lost their races for clerk, treasurer and trustee in the primary election all have filed for a recount of ballots cast.

Clerk candidate Iva Jo Bielec filed for a recount Monday after losing to Kathy Giszczak in a 304-343 vote.

Treasurer candidate Susan Burek, who lost to Lynda H. Dew by three votes in the primary, filed for a recount Friday.

In a tight race in the Democratic primary with six candidates for a seat on the Augusta Township Board of Trustees, candidate Laverne Kailimai filed for a recount Monday after losing by 68 votes to Judy Thornton (19.42 percent).

The candidate field received relatively similar portions of the vote: Cath Howard (16.78 percent), H. Neil Johnson (14.40 percent), Kailimai (15.9 percent), Joseph Keefe (16.05 percent) and Ira Todd (17.04 percent).

Monday was the last day for recount petitions to be filed. Recounts cannot begin until the state completes its canvass of state-level races. As of Monday, the Washtenaw County Board of Elections has not received notice it can begin its recounts.

Once 48 hours has expired after the state canvass is complete, the county can begin its recount.