One vote separates Sprague candidates

SPRAGUE — One vote.

That’s all that separated challenger Ron Del Krauter and incumbent Trace De Garmo in the race for the City Council Position No. 5 seat following certification Tuesday, Aug. 15.

Del Krauter and De Garmo were vying for the second position to advance to the November general election.

The top vote-getter was Jeffrey Smith, with 46 votes to advance. Del Krauter received 27 votes and De Garmo 26.

Barring a recount petition, Smith and Del Krauter will face off in November. The incumbent will be eliminated in the primary.

Deputy Lincoln County Auditor Norm Caley said an automatic recount is triggered when candidates are separated by half a percentage point or less.

Krauter received 26.47% of the vote, while De Garmo received 25.49%.

So, any recount would cost the petitioner a fee, and even then, the Elections Department agreeing to a recount isn’t guaranteed, Caley said.