Merten Submits Official Request For Indian Wells Council Recount

Indian Wells City Council candidate Ted Mertens fulfilled a promise on Monday he made to KESQ last week. He submitted a formal request to recount his race.

In the final tally released on Friday, Nov. 26, the Riverside County Registrar of Voters showed Mertens won 1182 votes in the election and Patriclk Mullany won 1188, making Mullany the winner of the second seat on the council. Mary Roche won the first seat.

“While expensive for me as it is estimated to cost me between $5,000 and $6,000, Indian Wells voters deserve an accurate complete tally of the votes,” Mertens said. “This recount will make that determination. If the recount determines I earned enough votes, I stand ready to serve all residents and the City of Indian Wells.”

Read: Riverside County Rules On Election Recounts

The Registrar of Voters Office now has seven days to recount the Indian Wells City Council race.

A similar scenario is unfolding in Lake Elsinore where a council race ended with the votes very close.