Hoxie ? The Sheridan County Commission race was still undecided Wednesday after a canvassing board refused to certify a recount that changed the outcome announced election night.

The recount showed Vic Bielser defeating incumbent Ron Schamberger by seven votes.

Bielser’s 227 votes were 13 more than on election night, while Schamberger’s total of 220 votes did not change from election night.

When the county commission met Saturday, Schamberger recused himself and Sheridan County Treasurer Esther Bainter was appointed to serve on the canvassing board.

The board voted unanimously to not certify the recount, said Steve Hirsch, Decatur County attorney.

“From what I’ve heard, they thought there were enough questions about it that they were not comfortable with it,” said Brad Bryant, elections coordinator for the Kansas secretary of state’s office.

Bryan and Hirsh said no precedent exists to help decide the race.

“It’s unusual,” Bryant said. “All of the officials involved are trying to do the right thing.”

The recount came after Sheridan County Clerk Paula Bielser – Vic Bielser’s wife – said electronic vote counting machines malfunctioned during the original count. After the county commission decided not to have the county pay for a recount, Vic Bielser chose to pay for the recount himself.