Recounts scheduled for Rochester Wards 1 and 5

Recounts have been scheduled for two Rochester City Council races.

Candidates Paul Myhrom, Ward 1, and Byron Clark, Ward 5, have filed written requests with the city clerk asking for a recount. In both cases, the candidates finished within a half percentage point of the second place finishers, making them eligible for a publicly-funded recount.

Election officials will re-tally the votes for Ward 1 on Tuesday, Aug. 28 and Ward 5 on Wednesday, Aug. 29. The recounts, which are open to the public, begin each day at 9 a.m. in Riverview Room D of the Mayo Civic Center. 

Following both recounts, the city council will meet as the canvassing board to review and finalize the results. According to the city clerk's office, it will be up to the council to make determinations on any challenged ballots.

How we got here

In both council primaries, the top-place finishers — Patrick Keane in Ward 1 and Shaun C Palmer in Ward 5 — have already advanced to the general election. They will face off against the next-leading vote-getters.

In Ward 1, the initial tally showed second-place finisher Heather Holmes defeating third-place candidate Paul Myhrom by five votes. 

In Ward 5, Judy Hickey finished with an 18-vote lead over Byron Clark.

Unofficial results / city clerk's office

Wards 1 and 5 are among four city races on the ballot this November. In Ward 3, Arlo Kroening is challenging incumbent Nick Campion. For Rochester mayor, Kim Norton will face off against Charlie O'Connell.

Cover photo: Licensed / Canva