Martin City Republican Sandy Welch has officially filed for a recount. Welch narrowly lost the race for Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction to Democratic incumbent Denise Juneau by 2,231 votes out of 468,563 cast.

“We have worked over the past several weeks to get to this point,” Welch said Monday. “A recount is an important and more deliberative option allowed by our process, and it will reveal any issues that have statewide implications. Recounts will be healthy for the integrity of our election, and we have the opportunity to move forward and identify inconsistencies.”

Welch will pay the state for the recount, which could cost more than $200,000 after attorney and other fees are factored in.

Welch claims errors were made in the regular ballot count.

“This is an opportunity for the public to learn how our election process works,” she said. “We’re aware of instances where there were significant systematic errors made in counting ballots, and this is the best process to confirm this. The public must be aware of these problems.”  

A hearing on the recount request is scheduled to take place in front of Flathead County District Court Judge Stewart Stadler on Friday, Dec. 7.