The Jefferson County Election Board met on Monday evening to address a recount request filed by incumbent Sheriff Lafayette Woods Jr. Woods, who has served as sheriff since 2019, lost his bid for re‑election to challenger Chris Lowery by a narrow margin of 229 votes.
Board decision and legal backdrop
Board members reviewed the timing of Woods’ request, which was submitted after the state‑mandated 48‑hour window that follows the certification of election results. Challenger Chris Lowery argued that the board should reject the request on those grounds, noting that the law requires a recount request be filed within that period.
Arkansas law, however, also grants the election board the authority to initiate its own recount even when a request falls outside the statutory deadline. Citing that provision, the board voted to proceed with a recount, scheduling it to begin Wednesday at 10 a.m. and to be completed the same day.
Candidate reactions
Lowery expressed frustration with the board’s decision, telling Channel 7 News, “My first thought is that it’s unbelievable that I’m having to win an election twice. I won last Tuesday. The commission has made a decision to go outside the law, which states 48 hours, and they were in the neighborhood of 60 or 70 hours. It’s unfortunate they’ve made this decision, but I do not feel the results are going to change at all.”
Woods, who filed the request, maintains that a recount is necessary to ensure the integrity of the election, given the razor‑thin margin separating the two candidates.
What the recount means for voters
The recount will be conducted at the Jefferson County Election Office, with observers from both campaigns permitted to watch the process. Election officials have emphasized that the recount will be transparent and that any changes to the vote totals will be promptly reported.
Local residents, many of whom expressed concern over the close race, are awaiting the results. The board’s swift action reflects a commitment to maintaining confidence in the county’s electoral system, even when procedural disputes arise.
Next steps
After the recount concludes, the board will certify the final vote count and issue an official statement. If the results differ from the original tally, the winner will be formally declared based on the updated numbers. If the recount confirms Lowery’s victory, the transition to the new sheriff’s office will proceed as scheduled.
Stay tuned to local news outlets for the final recount outcome and any subsequent actions by the Jefferson County Election Board.
Original reporting: KATV Little Rock (local) — read the source article.
