Candidate Calls For Recount In Wauwatosa Aldermanic District 5 Race

WAUWATOSA, WI — Recounts for two races, including an aldermanic district race that was decided by one ballot, will take place at City Hall on Thursday, City of Wauwatosa officials announced.

Poll workers will count 10,789 ballots again on Thursday to decide the Aldermanic District 5 race and the referendum to downsize the Wauwatosa Common Council, city spokesperson Eva Ennamorato said in a statement.

The candidate who lost in an election with 4,000 or fewer votes can call for a recount if the race is decided by 40 votes or less, according to state law.

Rob Gustafson, who lost to Sean Lowe for the District 5 seat, requested the recount for the district, city officials said. Mayor Dennis McBride asked for a recount of referendum votes.

It's possible that a recount will be requested for the District 3 seat, which was also decided by a close number of votes, Ennamorato told Patch. The candidate has until 5 p.m. on Wednesday to make the request, and the city would conduct the recount tomorrow alongside the first two.

The race by Gustafson and Lowe was decided by one ballot after a provisional ballot was found. If Lowe wins the recount, he will become the first man of color elected to the council in the city's 125-year history.

Margaret Michele Arney, who ran unopposed in District 2, was also certified as the first woman of color in the Common Council Friday.

A provisional ballot is a ballot that is marked but not counted, because the voter it was issued to was unable to give information like proof of residence, according to My Vote WI. The ballot count was confirmed Friday.

The recount will start at 9 a.m. at the Council Chambers at 7725 W. North Avenue, Ennamorato said. Members of the public are welcome to watch.

See Also: Tie For Wauwatosa District 5 Alderman Solved By Single Ballot