For immediate release: Nov. 22, 2024 

Media contact:
Eric Semerad, Gallatin County Clerk & Recorder/Election Administrator
406-582-3054
eric.semerad@gallatin.mt.gov
 

Candidate Requests Recount of Gallatin County Local Government Study Commission Election 

Gallatin County Elections Office will conduct a hand recount of the local government study commission race from the Nov. 5 federal election, following a request from a candidate. 

Election workers will review all 71,027 ballots cast in Gallatin County during this election to recount votes for the study commission race. The recount is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 25, starting at 8:30 AM in Exhibit Building No. 1 at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds in Bozeman. Gallatin County Commissioners will serve as the Recount Board, providing oversight for the process. The Recount Board will initially convene in the Community Room of the Gallatin County Courthouse at 8:30 AM and then immediately move the meeting to the Fairgrounds location. 

The race featured 22 candidates vying for seven positions on Gallatin County’s nonpartisan local government study commission. This commission will assess the county’s current structure, powers, and service delivery and propose any recommended changes. 

Candidate Rene Flynn, who finished eighth according to the unofficial final results, petitioned for the recount after trailing the seventh-place candidate, EJ Porth, by just 77 votes. Because the margin falls within one-quarter of 1% of the total votes cast for that race, Montana law allows for a recount. 

Candidates and their representatives are invited to observe the entire recount process. 

The cost of the recount will be covered by Gallatin County and is estimated to be about $17,000. 

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