OKLAHOMA CITY – Two votes.
After more than two weeks of recounting votes, the Oklahoma State Election Board accounted this week that the Republican Primary race for Oklahoma County District Attorney is headed to a runoff election.
State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax said that out of nearly 58,000 ballots that were recounted by hand in Oklahoma County, only six changes occurred from the original count: candidates Robert W. Gray, Gayland Gieger and Kevin Calvey each received two additional votes.
“Recounts are an important part of the election process and these recounts proved once again that Oklahoma has one of the most accurate and secure voting systems in the entire world. That is something that every Oklahoman can be proud of,” Ziriax said in a media statement.
Election returns show that Gieger received a total of 12,554 votes (23.25%) while Gray total 6,660 votes (12.33%). Former state Rep. Kevin Calvey received 26,985 votes, or (49.97%). The fourth candidate, Jacqui Ford, received 7,804 votes, or (14.45%) of the vote.
A total of 54,003 votes were cast in the race.
Ziriax said he hoped the recounts would help “dispel some of the misinformation” that Oklahoma election officials have been hearing since 2020. “These hand recounts are the latest proof that Oklahoma’s eScan voting devices accurately tabulate ballots. Voters should avoid misinformation that claims otherwise,” he said.
In addition to the Oklahoma County DA race, recounts in the District 7 Republican Primary, McIntosh County Commissioner, District 3 Democratic Primary, and the Nowata County Assessor Republican Primary have each confirmed the outcomes of those elections.
Ziriax said last week’s recounts in McIntosh and Nowata counties exactly matched the election night results.
“We appreciate the candidates who requested these three recounts because they provide clear evidence of the accuracy Oklahoma’s voting system. We have free, fair, safe and secure elections in the State of Oklahoma,” he stated.
Officials initially thought the recount process would take longer because of the coronavirus.
The runoff primary is Tuesday, Aug. 23.
The winner of the Republican Primary runoff will face Democrat Vicki Behenna in the November general election.