Wheaton referendum question could see recount

In addition to the governor's race and at least three legislative races, this week's election could also produce a recount in a small school district in western Minnesota.

Voters in the small western Minnesota town of Wheaton rejected a school referendum on Tuesday by just three votes out of 1,125 cast. The measure would have raised property taxes to help fund operations.

But unlike the race for governor, there is no automatic recount with ballot questions. If there were to be a recount in the Wheaton school district, it would require at least 25 registered voters to sign a petition.

District leaders say that hasn't happened, but is possible.

If it does happen, it wouldn't be the first recount of a school referendum this year. A referendum in August in the Menagha school district in northern Minnesota also failed by three votes, but that recount didn't change the result.