Iowa legislative leaders confirmed this morning that Democrats held the majority in the Iowa House 55-44, with at least one race in Sioux City yet to be settled with the counting of absentee ballots, and up to three recounts in races won by razor-thin margins.

The recounts are expected in Iowa House races, including two where the margin was razor-thin and one where 1,500 ballots have yet to be counted.

A recount is expected in House District 8, where longtime state Rep. Dolores Mertz, D-Ottosen, who is seeking her 10th term in the Iowa House, is leading Republican Stephen Richards of Algona by 42 votes. Republicans are expected to request the recount after the county has its canvass.

Another recount is expected in House District 37, where Republican Renee Schulte defeated Democratic state Rep. Art Staed, D-Cedar Rapids by 47 votes.

The race yet to be finalized in Woodbury County is House District 1, where incumbent Rep. Wes Whitead, D-Sioux City, was six votes ahead of Republican challenger Jeremy Taylor before the final tally of absentee ballots.

Woodbury County Auditor Patrick Gill said 1,500 ballots cast at a satellite voting station the day before Election Day have yet to be counted.

In addition, about 100 absentee ballots mailed to people in Woodbury County's five legislative districts had the wrong House district ballot inside the envelope. Gill said this was not discovered until the ballots were counted. He said the small number was among 17,000 ballots and would account for less than 30 ballots per House district.

"That's not a good thing," he said.

Labels: 2008_election