Emmons County Auditor Marlys Ohlhauser said she's had a lot of sleepless nights over a snafu on the county election ballot that will require the election to be held over again.

The computerized ballot for the primary election contained the wrong voting instructions for the county commissioner's race, telling voters to check two names, instead of one.

The flawed outcome affects two districts and now the county's figuring out how to rectify the situation.

Ohlhauser said the problem didn't come to her attention until three weeks after ballots were mailed out and by then it was too late to do anything, partly because of the confusion it would have caused.

She said she'd like to simply call for a special election since her office is responsible for the error, but state law says a candidate from each district has to file a civic complaint and then a district judge has to set a date for a new election so that two candidates from each district advance to the fall general election.

"I take full responsibility for the error and feel awful about it," she said.

The error happened when she clicked the wrong instruction on the automated ballot computer software.

She said she was carefully proofreading the ballot for spellings and placement of names, but didn't realize she clicked on the wrong instruction.

She said she'll minimize public expense by making up the special election ballots in her office and the county's cost will be limited to postage.

Ohlhauser said the county will keep people informed about the special election.

- Emmons County Record

Pool perfect

Beulah's been swimming in a little confusion over a new swimming pool, but it looks like after six years, the issue finally will be resolved.

The Beulah City Council will open bids at 4 p.m. July 10 for a new outdoor pool to be located near the Beulah Middle School.

Councilman Clyde Schulz said plans are for a concrete basin, a zero-depth entry, three-lane lap pool, a lazy river, decking, bathhouse, chemical building, 170-foot water slide, splash pool, shallow-end play area, picnic shelters, a 100-foot spa that holds 10, bike racks and a rock-climbing wall.

Estimates are at $2.7 million. It appears the city will finance the construction, a matter that has been under some discussion by city officials, who appointed a Beulah Aquatic Taskforce to help decide pool design and location.

Councilman Roger Gazur said bids should be examined for the extra cost of putting a cover over the pool.

Gazur also said the pool's operation should be turned over to the Beulah Park District.

Councilman Larry Walker concurred. "… Most places, parks and recs takes care of the swimming pool," Walker said.

Beulah Mayor Darrell Bjerke said he'd meet with park board chairman Dave Czywczynski on the matter.

- Beulah Beacon