After recount, only minor difference in Laurens County Commission race

A recount for the District 2 Laurens County Commissioner’s race showed that one candidate was actually ahead by three, instead of just two votes.

In Tuesday’s recount, incumbent Commissioner Trae Kemp kept his 802 votes, while Keith Oliver’s total went up one – from 504 to 505 – to edge out Mike Roberson, who finished with 502.

The recount also included one of five provisional votes that were not included in the unofficial results Election Day results on May 21.

“Of those five provisionals, only one went to that race, and it is why (Oliver’s) numbers went up,” said Laurens County Election Superintendent Genola Jackson. “We did a hand recount (Tuesday) and found out that nothing much changed.” 

On Election Day, Kemp led in the votes but did not get more than 50 percent needed to win outright, so he will face off against Oliver. Because the race between Oliver and Roberson was so tight, Jackson called for a recount. 

In the final stats, 9,040 of the 35,511 registered voters cast a ballot for a 25.46 percent turnout. 

In addition to the District 2 commissioner’s 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.

“We’ve got a quick turnaround to get ready for this runoff,” Jackson said. “We are one of the counties who will have a local runoff (on June 18).”