Idaho and Iowa Counties Recount Ballots After Reporting Errors

Election officials in two states managed significant reporting errors following recent elections. In Latah County, Idaho, Julie Fry discovered that 2,343 in-person early voting ballots were omitted from online totals, which listed approximately 15,000 votes despite more than 18,000 people voting. Fry acknowledged the error and stated it should not have happened.

Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane oversaw a full recount by verifying original paper ballots. The process confirmed that the Moscow School District No. 281 Plant Facilities Reserve Fund Levy passed with 60.34% of the vote, narrowly clearing the 60% threshold. While Fry maintained the results would not change, county commissioner candidate Laura Heinse argued the error was not disclosed quickly enough and could have altered outcomes. The Latah County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to certify the results on November 12.

Separately, in Johnson County, Iowa, Auditor Julie Persons revealed that 2,017 absentee ballots were omitted from election-night results because they were mistakenly placed on a shelf instead of a cart. The ballots were found during cleanup, prompting Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate to mandate an audit of the Absentee and Special Voters Precinct. This led to a recount of over 26,000 ballots. The Johnson County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the canvass, confirming the error did not change any election outcomes. Persons maintained that the chain of custody remained intact as the ballots were kept under lock and key.