Recount confirms Oak Lawn outcome

Oak Lawn Township clerk Judy Zelinske was re-elected in the March 9 township vote.

That result was confirmed Friday following a recount at the Crow Wing County historical courthouse. Fifteen votes separated Zelinske from challenger Judy Zettervall. The Oak Lawn Township Canvassing Board certified the returns upon conclusion of the recount.

Deborah A. Erickson, Crow Wing County auditor, reported Friday the recount found 218 votes for the incumbent Zelinske and 203 votes for Zettervall.

The March 9 election had 216 votes for Zelinske and 204 votes for Zettervall. There are 1,075 voters in the township and there were 424 votes cast in the March 9 election.

Erickson said it's not uncommon for some slight change in vote totals in a recount.

The discretionary ballot recount was requested by Zettervall. She will be responsible to pay the cost of the recount.