A recount of the votes cast in the Aug. 27 run-off election for McIntosh County District 2 Commissioner didn’t change the outcome.

Incumbent Monty Grider lost by 12 votes to challenger Clifford McElhaney.

A total of 558 votes were cast in a district that has about 1,700 registered Republican voters.

McElhaney received 285 votes to Grider’s 273.

The recount took place at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 5, in the third-floor courtroom of the county courthouse.

Associate District Judge Brendon Bridges swore in all parties involved in the recount and ascertained that all ballots were properly preserved. A representative of the State Election Board attended the recount along with the County Election Board Secretary and members of the Board of Directors.

After more than two hours of examining each ballot, a four-person team of counters for the County Election Board tallied the same number of votes that were cast in the election.

Grider expressed disappointment that he didn’t prevail but was relieved that the question of whether he won or lost was resolved and he would not spend the future wondering what might have been if he had not paid the $600 fee for the recount.

After the final count was announced the two political opponents shook hands and left the courtroom.

Election Board Secretary Janelle McKnight said, “Every candidate has the right to ask for a recount.”

She expressed pride in the Board and the volunteers who work the elections, noting that the recount showed how well the elections are run and that the machinery is working property.