Nearly two weeks after the race for Dacono mayor ended in a tie, the apparent winner staggered to a one-vote victory Tuesday when three provisional ballots were added to the final tally.
“This was my first venture in politics, and I’m pretty certain it’s going to be my last,” said Larry Johnston, who ran against Mayor Wade Carlson, a longtime political fixture.
After the votes from the Nov. 7 general election were counted, the candidates had fought to a 366-366 tie in the Weld County city of 3,700. On Tuesday, Carlson was the pick on two of the three remaining provisional ballots.
But because Carlson won by such a slim margin, a recount is required, which won’t happen until Dec. 7 in order for the county to round up the necessary personnel to oversee the final tally.
“This has been very odd,” Dacono City Clerk Valerie Elliott-Lucero said.
If the recount produces another tie, something election officials say is possible, then the mayor will be picked through a game of chance – possibly by a coin flip or drawing of straws. Johnston, however, is confident the one-vote tally will hold up.
Besides, he said, the city needs for the election to end.
“Everybody is getting a little tired of this,” he said. “I think we need a little closure.”
Carlson couldn’t be reached for comment.
Staff writer Monte Whaley can be reached at 720-929-0907 or mwhaley@denverpost.com.
