Incumbent sheriff wins recount

BEAVER CITY -- Furnas County Sheriff, Joel Hank Pulley, will remain in office, a victory determined by a recount of votes Wednesday.

Pulley said this morning he looks forward to serving another four years as sheriff.

Challenger Gregg Meyer conceded the race Wednesday afternoon. "It is my position that the election results stand as now counted, giving Mr. Pulley the sheriff's office," Meyer said in a written statement.

The county's canvassing board found that Pulley defeated Meyer by 10 votes, 1,068 to 1,058. Meyer led by three votes at the end of counting on election day.

County Clerk Kennis McClelland said the recount included five legal provisional ballots. Such ballots were created under a new Nebraska law designed to allow a registered voter to cast a ballot even if his or her name does not appear on the voting register. Officials then verify that person's voter registration.

Meyer objected last week to the adding of the provisional votes.

Meyer wrote in his statement the issues raised during the campaign show how important law enforcement is to the community. "It is now time for each Furnas County resident to take the lessons learned from this democratic process and move forward to keep Furnas County the best place to live," Meyer said.

Pulled said he was pleased with the results of the recount. "I would especially like to thank each and every resident who supported me in the election, and reached out with their thoughts and prayers through the election and recount," Pulley said.

He said he would continue to serve all residents of the county, improving what he can.