The Habersham County Board of Elections has concluded its recount of the May 21 GOP primary District 1 commission race. Following the machine recount, election officials said the totals remained the same.
Incumbent Bruce Palmer requested the recount after coming in third in the three-person race. Challenger Eric Holbrooks beat Palmer with 1,707 to 1,687 votes. Kelly Woodall secured a spot in the runoff with 2,098 of the 5,492 votes cast.
Since less than half a percentage point separated Holbrooks and Palmer, the law allowed for a recount.
The recount at the Board of Elections Office in Cornelia took approximately five and a half hours to complete.
Holbrooks and Woodall will face each other in the June 18 runoff for the Habersham County District 1 Commission seat.
Palmer throws his support to Holbrooks
After the recount, Palmer said he was satisfied with the results.
“Obviously, I felt like I was the best choice. The citizens didn’t think so, or at least not at this time,” he told Now Habersham.
Palmer announced he is supporting Holbrooks in the runoff and said of the two remaining candidates, “I wish them well.”
Holbrooks arrived at the Elections Office just before the recount was completed.
“It’s a really good feeling to know this many people in Habersham is giving me the opportunity to serve them,” he said. “I hope they show up one more time.”
Holbrooks thanked Palmer for his service to the Habersham County citizens.
Woodall did not attend the recount on Monday. However, he did know the results, was aware that he would be facing Holbrooks in the June 18 runoff, and spoke about the race ahead.
“We are both passionate about the county, but we have different ideas about how to address the issues facing our county.” He adds, “I believe I have the experience and knowledge necessary to make a difference on day one.”
As the Habersham County Elections Office wraps up the requested recount, they now prepare for the runoff.
Election officials will prepare a proof ballot on Tuesday, June 4, for the printer. According to Elections Supervisor Laurel Ellison, they hope to have ballots printed and mailed by Friday, June 7.
