The runner-up in the Republican race for State Auditor makes official his request for the ballots cast in the August 8th Primary Election to be recounted. Representative Jack Jackson of Wildwood, who lost to Platte County Auditor Sandra Thomas by 1,844 votes, has presented his request in a letter to the Secretary of State’s office. Jackson’s total was within one percentage point of the winner’s total, which allows the runner-up the option of requesting a recount. The task must be completed within 20 days. Individual recounts will be conducted by local election authorities in each of the state’s 114 counties and the City of St. Louis. Jackson is requesting a hand recount of all the ballots. Betsy Byers, the Co-Director of Elections at the Secretary of State’s office, says that and other requests will be studied, with the Jackson campaign contacted in the next few days.