<\/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
Partial results also indicate that Republican James Lambert will take over outgoing Montezuma County Commissioner Steve Chappel\u2019s post. He received 5,163 votes compared to independent candidate William \u201cBill\u201d Utrup, who received 3,174.<\/p>\n
In the remaining contested race, partial results indicate that Kim Percell will take over Tullis\u2019s post as clerk. She received 5,877 votes. Her independent challenger, Judy Marquez, received 2,689 votes.<\/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 resideded at their current residence for the last 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 citizens to apply for a replacement ballot on Tuesday evening.<\/p>\n