Saline County recount upholds Hammer’s lead as Norris alleges rule violations

Bryan Norris (Image submitted)

The outcome of last week’s Republican runoff for Arkansas secretary of state remained unchanged Tuesday after a fifth county completed a recount of ballots.

Saline County officials confirmed that state Sen. Kim Hammer maintained his lead over challenger Bryan Norris. Hammer, who won his home county by approximately 2,000 votes, remains the winner of a statewide race decided by fewer than 1,000 votes.

While the numbers held steady, the process drew sharp criticism from the Norris campaign. In a statement posted Tuesday afternoon, Norris said his legal counsel advised him not to accept the Saline County results, alleging that Arkansas election laws were “allegedly broken” during the recount itself.

“This is not about refusing an outcome I do not like,” Norris said. “It is about refusing to pretend that election laws do not matter when they are allegedly broken during the recount process.”

The Norris campaign claimed that its designated representative was “locked out” of the viewing area and denied the ability to observe the count from the required distance. The campaign also raised concerns that ballots were handled by unauthorized individuals and that at least one poll worker had not taken the required oath.

In Saline County, a team of 10 poll workers hand-counted 6,970 ballots in just under four hours. The Saline County Clerk’s Office said in a release that it “is aware of the statement issued by the candidate who requested the recount. The Clerk’s Office strongly disagrees with these claims and maintains that the recount was conducted in full compliance with Arkansas law. The process was open, transparent, and observed throughout. All ballots were properly accounted for, and the final results matched the certified machine tabulation.

Saline County remains committed to ensuring every election is conducted with integrity, accuracy, and transparency—and today’s results reaffirm that commitment.“

Norris was charged $1,017 for the process. Under state law, candidates must pay for recounts unless the election outcome is altered.

Saline joins Baxter, Grant, Washington, and White counties in reporting no change to their original certified results.

One recount remains on the schedule. Miller County is expected to begin reviewing the ballots on Thursday.