(a) Publicly funded recounts. A defeated or eliminated candidate may request a publicly funded recount if the difference between the vote total for that candidate and for the winning or lowest-ranked is less than the required percentage as provided by M.S. § 204C.36, subd. 1, as amended.
(1) Candidates shall file a written request for the recount with the city clerk. All requests shall be filed during the time for notice of contest of election for which a recount is sought.
(2) Upon receipt of a request made pursuant to this section, the city shall recount the votes for a municipal office at the expense of the city.
(b) Discretionary candidate recounts. A candidate defeated or eliminated when the vote difference is greater than the difference required in clause (a), may request a discretionary recount at the candidate's own expense.
(1) Candidates shall file a written request for the recount with the city clerk. All requests shall be filed during the time for notice of contest of election for which a recount is sought.
(2) The votes shall be recounted as provided in this section if the requesting candidate files with the city clerk a bond, cash, or surety in an amount set by the city for payment of the recount expenses.
(c) Notice of contest. Time for notice of contest of election to a municipal office which is recounted pursuant to this section shall begin to run upon certification of the results by the City Council.
(d) Scope of recount. A recount conducted as provided in this section is limited in scope to the determination of the number of votes validly cast for the office to be recounted. Only the ballots cast in the election and summary statements certified by the election judges may be considered in the recount process.
(e) The provisions of M.S. § 205.185, as amended, govern recounts of municipal elections.
(Ord. 2021-8, passed 4-26-2021)