<\/p>\n
About 9,200 votes had been counted in Montezuma County by 10 p.m. Tuesday. Officials estimated less than 500 outstanding ballots remained.<\/p>\n
According to the partial election results, Republican Steve Nowlin will become the next Montezuma County sheriff, defeating write-in candidate Mike Steele 5,900 to 1,890.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese are preliminary results, but it\u2019s safe to say that Steve Nowlin will be the next sheriff,\u201d said Montezuma County Clerk and Recorder Carol Tullis.<\/p>\n
When the results were announced at a republican election gathering at the Elks Club Tuesday, a group of about 40 people cheered for Nowlin.<\/p>\n
\u201cI appreciate everyone\u2019s support. This is a win for everyone in the county and I will do my best to serve everyone,\u201d Nowlin said, amid hugs from supporters.<\/p>\n
Questioned about certifying write-in votes, Tullis said both the name had to be written and the oval darkened. She added if election commissioners could distinguish a misspelled name was cast for an official write-in candidate, then the vote was counted.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve had some people write-in Barney Fife and Andy Taylor for sheriff,\u201d said Tullis. \u201cThose obviously weren\u2019t counted.\u201d<\/p>\n
A request from the Steele campaign to affix labels on the ballot was denied, said Tullis.<\/p>\n
According to a department spokesperson, Jan. 12th will be outgoing Sheriff Dennis Spruell\u2019s last day on the job. Nowlin is expected to be sworn in on Jan. 13.<\/p>\n
Tullis said a continuous stream of voters turned out at the clerk\u2019s office on Monday and Tuesday to cast ballots. She said most of the last minute voters either never received a ballot due to a change of address or they lost the one that was sent in the mail. Colorado shifted to a mail-in only election system this year.<\/p>\n
At 6:15 p.m. on Election Day, about a dozen citizens were waiting in line to cast their vote at the clerk\u2019s office. The line continued until the polls closed at 7 p.m.<\/p>\n
Voters seeking a ballot on Election Day at the clerk\u2019s office were required to complete a replacement form and pledge they had resided at their current residence for the past 22 days. They also had to show state-issued identification.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was pretty easy,\u201d said P.A. Jackson, one of the last to apply for a replacement ballot on Tuesday evening.<\/p>\n