Republican Candidate Calls For Recount In State House District 71 Race

Republicans are calling for a recount after a close race for the state house in District 71, where a spot was left empty by the resignation of Representative Dan Sullivan.

It was down to a three-vote difference before the last ballots were counted Friday.

Most of the votes were counted last Tuesday, but six were left out - all "provisional" ballots that were counted Friday afternoon. The final four ballots sat in a lockbox after election officials determined two provisional ballots should not count - both from people not registered in the district.

A small group of political types - and the two candidates - watched as the four ballots were counted - and the numbers added in.

4/3/2012 Related Story: Recount May Be Next Step In Close State House District 71 Race In Tulsa

"And the count is Dan Arthrell 2, and Katie Henke 2," said Elaine Dodd.

That didn't change the outcome - so Democrat Dan Arthrell still has the most votes.

"And I very much appreciate every single one of those votes because it's obvious they all made a difference, every one of them," Arthrell said.

The three-vote margin, with 2800 votes cast, prompted the Republican challenger to ask for a recount.

"With a margin that close there's always room for error, and I just feel like I owe it to the district and my supporters," said candidate Katie Henke, Republican.

The recount will be done by hand next Wednesday morning. Both candidates say they'll run again - so they're likely to meet again on the ballot this fall.