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Rooked on Phonics

If you're planning to run for office as a write-in, you might want to be sure your surname is Jones--or Bush or even Gore. John D. Schmidt of Hays County, Texas, found that out the hard way.

If you're planning to run for office as a write-in, you might want to be sure your surname is Jones--or Bush or even Gore. John D. Schmidt of Hays County, Texas, found that out the hard way.

Schmidt was a write-in candidate for the Upper San Marcos Watershed Reclamation and Flood Control District board. He initially won the election with 95 votes out of about 200 votes cast to elect two people to the board. The margin of victory was only a handful of votes, however. So, mirroring several other high-profile contests this past election season, election officials agreed to a recount.

On this ballot, there was no chad involved. Voters either marked an "X" next to an official candidate or wrote in the name of someone. Basically, Schmidt lost 10 votes because his name was spelled incorrectly: John Schmitz, M. Shcmit, John Schitz, John Schmits, Jon Schmidt, John Schmiet, John Smicht, Jon Schimt, Mike Schmitt and John Smidt. A recount official decided these versions did not clearly indicate voter intent, since the choice could have been anyone living in the county.

John D. Schmidt has contested the results in court. One of the two eventual winners, Richard Henderson, was also a write-in candidate. During the recount, ballots indicating a vote for Henderson, R. Henderson or Robert Henderson also were thrown out.

Normally, the water district board election rouses very little interest. Since it's very seldom a contested race, few people even know it's taking place. "One time I was the last voter," says Joyce Cowan, Hays County elections administrator. "And I was number 17."

The situation might have been worse, however, if the person hired to oversee the recount had decided to wage a write-in campaign. His name? Nick Icossipentarhos.

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