COTTAGE GROVE – The concept of “every vote matters” played out in real time for South Lane School Board candidates in the May special election, as evidenced by the Position 7 race.
A razor-thin margin tossed incumbent Jeff Gowing from his school board seat with the South Lane School District, beaten out by only two votes by newcomer Bill Parsons.
The news comes after more than 25 races in Oregon triggered an automatic recount in the May 20 special election. Devon Ashbridge, public information officer with the county, said that the recount for South Lane School District Position 7 was completed and certified on June 20.
“There were no changes to the final tally of votes, and Bill Parsons’ selection by voters was confirmed.” Gowing, 63, had served on the board since February 2024.
“I knew the race would be close,” Gowing said. “Billy and I are both well-known in the community, and I wish him to be successful in his position. As for me, it really won’t change what I do. I am going to be volunteering more at the schools to make sure they have everything they need to ensure the kids are successful as well. I don’t need a title to be involved.”
Automatic vote recounts in the state of Oregon are required for the nomination or election of a person or to decide the outcome of a ballot measure when there is a tie between candidates or the vote margin is very close – specifically, when the difference between the apparent winning candidate and the next is not more than 1/5th of 1% (i.e. 0.2%) or less, of the total votes for both of the candidates.
“Controls like automatic recounts, regular audits, and the near-constant testing of election equipment help us show the public that their votes count,” Tobias Read, Oregon Secretary of State, stated in a news release.
Parsons, 61, spent 28 years with the South Lane County Fire & Rescue, serving as a firefighter, paramedic, and captain. He is also the owner and operator of Parsons Tree Service.
He noted in his election questionnaire that he leads by example, is a people person, and places a high value on direct conversations.
“I have been attending the school board meetings for the past six months to familiarize myself with current issues, programs, and needs of South Lane Schools,” he said, adding that he would like to see the District place a “higher value on vocational training and apprenticeship opportunities.”
“Many students will end their formal education after graduation, but through vocational training and apprenticeship, they can enter the workforce and succeed in their chosen profession immediately,” he said.
Parsons will join the South Lane School Board with a mix of new and unfamiliar faces. Incumbent Diane Hicks and Colleen Valley were voted to serve another term along with Duane Taddei and Joe Tucker, whose terms expire in 2027.
Sherry Duerst-Higgens did not reclaim her seat, having been ousted by newcomer Chris Holloman, who received nearly 53% of the vote.
Counting board
A counting board must do all recounts in the state of Oregon by hand. The counting board consists of a minimum of two county electors, and the electors must be registered with different political parties. The counting board determines the voter’s intent on each ballot, separates ballots into different stacks based on the option selected on each ballot, and counts the number of ballots in each stack. Both members of the counting board must count each stack individually, and both must agree on the number in each stack.
Official observers are permitted to be present to observe the preliminary preparation and the recount process, but must not impede or interfere with the recount preparation or procedure.
“I hear from a lot of people that they think their vote doesn’t matter, and here we have the undeniable proof that it does,” Read said.
