The Election Board counts ballots while the Ute Mountain Ute Media Department, known as Weenuche Smoke Signals, livestreams the election results on Friday, Oct. 10. (Benjamin Rubin/The Journal)
The Election Board counts ballots while the Ute Mountain Ute Media Department, known as Weenuche Smoke Signals, livestreams the election results on Friday, Oct. 10. (Benjamin Rubin/The Journal)

Evelyn Lopez and Marilynn House will face off in a runoff vote on Oct. 29 after a recount last week failed to break the tie in the race for the Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Council.

“Just one number less on the ladies,” said Election Board Chairperson Constance Wall. “A tie again.”

Lopez and House each received 115 votes, a decrease from 116 during the Oct. 10 election. The recount occurred Oct. 16.

The runoff between Lopez and House is scheduled for Oct. 29, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Towaoc Community Center, according to a notice posted on Facebook by the election board. Early voting will be held Oct. 27, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The win for incumbent Councilman Conrad Jacket was confirmed in the recount, which was livestreamed.

Election counts showed slight differences, just not enough to change the outcomes announced on Oct. 10 by the election board. Nine invalid votes were included in the recount for the two open Towaoc seats, compared with seven in the initial count.

Oct. 16 recount for tribal councilConrad Jacket: 150 (previous 154) Marilynn House: 115 (previous 116)Evelyn Lopez: 115 (previous 116)Fernessa Brooks: 92 (previous 95)Priscilla Blackhawk: 85Leland Collins: 71 (previous 72)Deanne House: 60 (previous 59)Gordan Hammond: 51Silverton House: 39Angelita Berry: 35 (previous 34)