Leave it to Danube to give all of us a great lesson in democracy.
A close election night race for a Danube City Council seat has been decided by a recount, resulting in a reversal of the original result.
Ultimately, the result matters to the people of Danube, but, most importantly, the process is a good example of how our laws make government work in this democracy.
The ballot count on Nov. 7 first recorded a one-vote win for write-in challenger Mary Jo Treml over incumbent council member Les Schneider Sr.
A 12-year council member, Schneider asked for a recount due to the one-vote win following the Nov. 15 election certification. During the recount which was conducted last week, Schneider challenged two write-in ballots which were cast apparently for Treml.
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One of the ballots just listed "Mary Jo" and the second listed "Mary Jo I." In other words, the voter was not completely clear as to which Mary Jo they were voting for.
In Danube's case, there are two women named Mary Jo living in the city, but only Treml was running a write-in campaign for the City Council. Under the election law, each ballot had to be judged on its own individual merits in determining the voter's intent.
In other words, if the ballot did not clearly and completely identify the write-in candidate, then that specific ballot could not be counted.
So the remaining City Council members serving as the canvassing board ruled the two ballots could not be counted and certified the vote as a 86-to-85 win for Schneider.
Both candidates and the canvassing board are to be commended for making our election system work. It was not an easy process for anyone involved, but it is even more challenging in small towns where individuals often know or are related to others involved.
Treml is to be commended for not challenging the result further in court. Her couragous decision is similar to the ones formerVice President Al Gore and Senator John Kerry made following close presidential elections in 2000 and 2004. We commend Treml further for her continued enthusiasm and her intent to file and run for City Council in the next election in 2008.
Danube's practice of our democracy is an excellent example for all.
