Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Election Results topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Aberdeen council adopts recount certificate, declares Chad Nelson winner of Southeast District race
Summary
The City Council adopted a resolution accepting a municipal recount and directed the finance officer to issue a certificate of election declaring Chad Nelson the plurality winner in the Southeast District; the recount reviewed three overvote ballots and will take effect after the winner takes the oath July 1, 2025.
The City of Aberdeen Council on June 16 adopted a resolution accepting the results of a municipal recount and declaring Chad Nelson the plurality vote winner for the Southeast District.
A city staff member explained the recount process to the council, saying the June election was “extremely close” and that candidate Kurt Pressler lost by one vote after Pressler, as allowed by statute, requested a recount. The recount board — appointed for the review — examined three overvote ballots and issued a certificate of recount. Jordan, the city finance officer, then certified the result. The council’s resolution (No. 250602R) authorizes the finance officer to issue a certificate of election to Nelson; Nelson will begin duties after taking the oath of office on July 1, 2025.
Why this matters: The resolution finalizes the close Southeast District contest and allows the city to file official election records and proceed with seating the declared winner. The recount process and the council’s action resolve the outstanding challenge to the race.
Council discussion and procedure City staff described that, while county and statewide recounts follow detailed statutory procedures, municipal recounts do not have an identical statutory procedure; the city followed state statutes and regulations as guidance when conducting the review. The recount board consisted of Chad Lyke (representing candidate Chad Nelson), Rich Hilgeman (representing candidate Kurt Pressler) and Angie Kleeberg (appointed by city staff). Jordan certified the certificate of recount and the revised resolution presented to the council.
Council member Ronan moved to adopt the resolution; Council member Ward seconded. The council voted by roll call with all members present voting “aye,” and the motion carried.
Details from the recount and next steps - The recount board reviewed three ballots initially recorded as overvotes (voters who marked more than one candidate). Those ballots were examined during the recount and were part of the board’s certificate of recount. - The resolution before the council is numbered 250602R and was placed on file with the finance office. - The council authorized the finance officer to issue the certificate of election; the declared winner is to start duties after taking the oath on July 1, 2025.
No litigation, appeal or further action on the recount was recorded in the council discussion. The council completed a roll call vote to adopt the resolution and directed staff to file the certificate with the city finance office.
