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It was a winter wonderland on the grounds of the Chisago County Government Center, with an overnight frosty snow clinging to every possible surface. Down in the lower level of the government center, though, nobody in the County Board Room was focusing on the view out the big window. The recount for the governor's race was underway.

County Auditor Dennis Freed said 25 to 30 people assisted in the count and also served as observers for the Republican and Democrat parties.

The hand recount started Monday this week and all but six precincts out of the county's 24 had been re-counted the first day.

By Tuesday noon the final tally was announced. The handcount revealed that all ballot numbers matched up, Freed was proud of his election judges and staff that there were no unpleasant surprises. Six ballots were "challenged" as to what the voter intended and five of these Freed feels will be designated to a candidate fairly easily-- but all six ballots go to the state canvassing board anyway.

In clear designations of ballots Mark Dayton lost one vote, Tom Emmer picked up three. (Emmer won this county in November.)

County election managers send their hand-count results to the state, which will be declaring a winner for the governor's seat.

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