Labette County canvass confirms election, commissioners break two local ties by drawing names

The Labette County Board of Canvassers certified the Nov. 4 general election results on Nov. 17, adding provisional ballots and resolving two tied local races by random draw.

Chairman Vincent B. Schibi recessed the commissioners and convened the Board of Canvassers at 9:02 a.m. Election Clerk Tracy Carnahan reported that initial DS300 ballot-scanner totals were 2,163 and explained that 15 provisional ballots had been reviewed, with nine counted as complete and added to the totals later.

After provisional ballots were included, the grand total of votes reported reached 2,186. Two local contests remained tied and the board followed procedures in the Kansas Election Standards to break ties by lot. Commissioner Tom Barrett drew John Collins’s name over Nick Beery to decide the Labette City mayoral race, which had been tied at five votes each. Barrett also drew names to fill Labette City Council positions after a four-way write-in tie among Jason Peplinski, Jeremy James, Jessica Preble and James Smith; Barrett drew James Smith for position four and Jason Peplinski for position five.

Commissioner Terry Weidert moved and Commissioner Tom Barrett seconded a motion authorizing the commission signatures on the official election abstract; the motion passed unanimously. The board later adjourned the canvass and reconvened the county commission meeting.

Why this matters: Canvass procedures finalize local election outcomes and, when ties occur, state-sanctioned tie-breaking methods determine officeholders. The canvass also updated the reported county-wide vote total after provisional ballots were reviewed.

What’s next: The commissioners authorized signatures on the election abstract so county officials can complete formal certification steps required by state law.