Official Results Released From Thursday's Recall Election

Official results from last Thursday's special election confirm the recall of the four city council members has failed.

Ballots were counted Thursday night at the Antelope County Courthouse by local election commissioner and county clerk Lisa Payne. The canvassing board later verified the ballots to ensure voter fraud had not been committed, and ballots were counted again.

"They go back and make sure that everyone who signed in got a ballot, the ballot count is correct," Payne said. 

The question on the ballot asked "Shall (name of the official) be removed from office?" There were 551 ballots cast in the special election.  

Official results for each council member is listed below
Leonard Miller: 166 Yes, 386 No, one over vote
Stephanie Wanek: 180 Yes, 372 No, one undervote
Dale Wilkinson: 204 Yes, 349 No
Ted Hughes: 205 Yes, 347 No, one undervote

The Antelope County News spoke to each council member and Mayor Joe Hartz on Thursday after unofficial results were announced. No more than two elected officials were present at one time.

Miller, who had the most votes to stay in office said, "I'd like to thank the City of Neligh for getting out and voting today and supporting us in the election. I think this is a vote of support for what the council has done in that we've cut spending and lowering the mill levy. Hopefully we can move on in the future with the support of the whole community and make Neligh a better place to live."

Wanek said, "Thank you Neligh voters for coming out today and voting in favor of progress and developing our community. It's time we all come back together and continue on for our future success."

Wilkinson, who was present at the courthouse while ballots were counted, said, "It's good to have it over with. I was very please to see it come out the way it did. It gives the council a chance to move on and do the things we need to do to keep Neligh on the move. That's our whole goal - grow Neligh and keep it on the move."

Hughes said, "I'd like to thank the citizens of Neligh who came forth to support the city council today, to support the true supporters of economic growth in Neligh. I'm happy to retain my council seat and look forward to moving on."

There was also a petition to recall Mayor Hartz; however, no signatures were turned into the courthouse by the deadline to support the recall. His recall attempt then ended.

Hartz was also at the courthouse awaiting election results and said, "It's a very positive feeling about community. We've talked about working together to grow our community, and I think this is the first step in our reacting to great news and now we can move on. . . . It's a great community, and hopefully any ill feelings will be left behind and we can start working together."