Ottawa County Primary Recount Confirms Results

A recount of the Ottawa County District 9 Republican primary election reaffirmed the results, confirming that incumbent Commissioner Phil Kuyers defeated Roger Belknap by 1,073 votes. Belknap requested the recount citing concerns over alleged errors during the election process, including a malfunctioning election results website and incorrect vote reporting by local media. The recount, conducted by bipartisan teams, found an accuracy level within less than 1/10 of 1%, with Kuyers gaining an additional five votes. Belknap, who had previously unseated Kuyers in 2022, has paid approximately $5,000 for the recount and emphasized the need for election integrity. Kuyers is set to face Democrat Angela Stanford-Butler in the upcoming general election. Observers noted that the recount process was transparent and involved many participants from both sides.