Laurens County Commission race headed for recount

The votes will be counted again on the District 2 County Commission race that ended with one candidate ahead of another – and in a runoff – by just two votes.

During Tuesday’s election, incumbent Commissioner Trae Kemp picked up 802 votes, with Keith Oliver gathering 504 to barely edge Mike Roberson, who had 502. Kemp did not get more than 50 percent of the votes, so he will face off against the second top vote-getter in the race, which would be Oliver. Because the race between Oliver and Roberson was so tight, Laurens County Probate Judge/Election Superintendent Genola Jackson called for a recount. 

“Before we can do the runoff, we have to have the recount so that we can make sure it will be between Keith Oliver and Trae,” Jackson said. “I can call one on my own, but I think Mr. Roberson was looking into what he needed to do to request one. 

“Most of the recounts we’ve done (in the past) come back exactly like they were. But in this case, I made the decision to have the recount because there was a less than one percent of the difference in between the two of them. It was two votes off. We had to certify the votes, and I can on my own ask for (a recount).” 

Jackson said the recount will be at 9 a.m. Tuesday in the Laurens County Commissioners’ office.

“I’m in the process of notifying the candidates if they want to be present or have a representative present,” Jackson said. “They don’t have to be there, but they can have somebody. Trae can come, too.” 

In addition to the District 2 race, there will be a runoff between Darla Brown and Tim Aldridge for tax commissioner. Brown received the most votes last Tuesday with 2,408. Aldridge was second with 1,819.  

The election day for the runoff for both of these races, which were on the Republican ticket, will be on June 18. 

Laurens County Registrar Susan Rooks said there will be only be one week of advance voting, which will be June 10-14.