Broomfield begins fracking recount amid criticism

A recount of Broomfield’s fracking vote is underway amid criticism from Secretary of State Scott Gessler about how the city handled the state’s new voter registration law.

The count started Monday and is expected to wrap up Wednesday.

The first count showed the measure passing by 17 votes, close enough to trigger a recount.

Last week, Gessler said the county counted ballots from people who were ineligible to vote and rejected ballots from legitimate voters. Voters previously had to be residents for at least 30 days to vote in both statewide and municipal elections, but a new law reduced the residency requirement to 22 days for state votes.

Broomfield officials say 18 ballots weren’t counted the first time because the voters didn’t affirm that they met the residency requirement.