Elgin Democrat wins by 2 votes

A Democrat has won a seat as an Elgin Township trustee, according to official election results.

Carol Rauschenberger won the seat by two votes over Republican Steve Thoren.

On April 7, unofficial results had the Elgin woman ahead by one vote. Counting provisional and absentee ballots opened the lead up to 3,185 to 3,183 over Thoren.

"Everything has been counted," said Kane County Clerk John Cunningham.

Because Rauschenberger won by less than 5 percent, the loser has a right to ask for a recount of a percentage of precincts.

Thoren's attorney, Jeff Meyer, has submitted a Freedom of Information Act request to examine all the absentee ballots.

Thoren said if a mistake was made, and one vote could be switched to his favor, it could affect the outcome.

Thoren said he will be the first to call Rauschenberger after the examination is complete. But he said it is imperative that he do this before conceding anything.

"I'm sure (Rauschenberger) would do the same thing - so would any one. If you didn't, you'd always wonder," Thoren said.

Rauschenberger, the lone Democrat to win an Elgin Township office, said she will have a representative there to observe Meyer's review of absentee ballots.

"I appreciate the fact (Thoren) is being prudent on behalf of his voters," Rauschenberger said. "As we know, every vote counts."

Thoren was the only member of his slate not to win. The April election winners - also including Republican trustees Robert Johnson, Patrick Hudgens and Vicki Pelock - will be sworn into office on May 18.