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An election recount is likely in Watford City, where a mayoral race ended in a tie Tuesday night.
Justin Johnsrud and current council member Phil Riely tied with 267 votes, while a third candidate, Gregg Schuetze, finished with 143 votes. Johnsrud is career and technical education teacher and head football coach at Watford City High School. Riely is a Whiting Oil & Gas lease operator.
In Parshall, Katherine Lauren Moreno won a council seat but a tie vote exists for the second council seat. Robert Morenski and Sevant Taft each had 83 votes in the unofficial election night tally.
In Stanley a close race exists for council that could result in a requested recount. Jacob Hellman and Tyler Taylor won seats, but Zachary Gaaskjolen has a narrow 237 to 232 lead over Chad Hysjulien for the third open seat.
Vote totals in the races could change based on late arriving absentee ballots to be tallied during election canvassing.
A number of area communities had races for mayor on the ballot. Unofficial results were as follows.
- Max: Robert Boedicker, 57; Kathryn Huettl, 18.
- Bottineau: Perry Schoenborn, 335; Harley Getzlaff, 270.
- Garrison: Stuart Merry, 245; Roy Mckenzie, 105.
- Mercer: Ronald Schatz, 29; Kathern Schon (incumbent), 17.
- Rugby: Susan Steinke, 246; Neil Lotvedt, 238; David Schneibel, 208; Gregory Mack, 89.
- Surrey: Jason Strand (incumbent), 214; Charles Badke, 93.
- Rolla: John Hardy, 197; Patrick Hemmy, 58; and Jerry Sparrow, 41.
- Arnegard: Virginia Elliot, 34; and Jeffrey Kindel (incumbent), 31
- St. John: Rodney Phelps, 69; Norah Gable (incumbent), 53.
Home rule passes
Publication, GDCD advance
Burlington voters approved a home rule charter 83 to 64 in unofficial election results Tuesday.
Ward County voters favored the Minot Daily News over the Kenmare News 7,137 to 1,354 as the newspaper for legal publications of the county.
Alan Walter received 6,752 votes to continue as Garrison Diversion Conservancy District representative for Ward County. There were 209 write-ins.
The publication and GDCD ballot items advance to the general election for a final vote.