In a close run-off election Tuesday, May 20, Sedona City Councilman Rob Adams pulled ahead Wednesday, May 21, by two votes.
Adams received 1,969 votes and incumbent Mayor Pud Colquitt received 1,967 out of a total of 3,951 ballots cast — a record number of votes cast in Sedona’s history. Eleven votes were write-ins.
Colquitt was ahead by 15 ballots as of 8 p.m. May 20, but according to Yavapai County Elections Director Lynn Constabile, last-minute votes were still coming in from Sedona. The final counting was done by 5 p.m. May 21.
Alison Ecklund
Larson Newspapers
In a close run-off election Tuesday, May 20, Sedona City Councilman Rob Adams pulled ahead Wednesday, May 21, by two votes.
Adams received 1,969 votes and incumbent Mayor Pud Colquitt received 1,967 out of a total of 3,951 ballots cast — a record number of votes cast in Sedona’s history. Eleven votes were write-ins.
Colquitt was ahead by 15 ballots as of 8 p.m. May 20, but according to Yavapai County Elections Director Lynn Constabile, last-minute votes were still coming in from Sedona. The final counting was done by 5 p.m. May 21.
According to City Attorney Mike Goimarac, an automatic recount is required by Arizona Revised Statue §16-661, which calls for a recount if the margin between the two candidates is less than or equal to 1/10 of 1 percent of the total votes cast.
Since almost 4,000 votes were cast, an automatic recount would apply if the candidates were within four votes, Goimarac said.
Although a newly-elected council will be seated Tuesday, May 27, the current council will request the recount to the Superior Court of Yavapai County at its May 27 meeting, City Manager Eric Levitt said.
“It’s more of a formality,” Levitt said, it’s not really up to council. “It goes to council, but really, they have to ask the superior court.”
Levitt doesn’t remember the city ever having a recount in elections and said this is the first for Yavapai County in a number of years.
Once the council makes the request, the court will order a recount by the Yavapi County Elections Department. The result of the recount will be presented to the court so the court can make an order for its determination.
A certified copy of the court determination will be delivered to the Sedona city clerk and the clerk will deliver a certificate of election to the winning candidate, Levitt stated in a press release.
“If all of the above steps go smoothly, a new mayor could be seated by Tuesday, June 10,” the release stated.
Until the mayor’s election is certified, Colquitt will continue to assume the mayoral duties, Levitt said.
“I’m assuming I lost by two votes,” Colquitt said. “I’m not asking for a recount. I assume Rob [Adams] will be mayor.”
Colquitt would like to see it resolved quickly. Continuity is best for the city and staff to get back to business,
she said.
Adams was out picking up his signs after a sleepless night when he got the call May 21, he said.
He still had hope after Colquitt’s 15-point lead May 20, because he knew there were 123 outstanding ballots, Adams said, and 84 from Coconino County where he had received a lot of positive feedback.
If Adam is sworn in at council’s June 10 meeting, his first order of business is to get council members united, he said.
“First thing is to put this election behind us and bring everyone together for a common cause,” Adams said. “No matter who supported whom, my goal is to bring us together for a common cause — the good of Sedona.”
Adams is looking forward to working with other Verde Valley and Flagstaff leaders, he said.
“It’s an exciting time for Sedona,” Adams said.
Alison Ecklund can be reached at 282-7795, Ext. 125 or e-mail to aecklund@larsonnewspapers.com
