McDonald County officials are not going robotic for a recount of the sheriff's race.

It's been two weeks since election night, and only 18 votes separate apparent winner Rob Evenson and his opponent, Gregg Sweeten.

In a court hearing Tuesday, the ground rules were set for the recount.

Election judges were picked, and the recount is set for Thursday morning.

It will be a hand recount.

Nov 12, 2008 05:30 PM CST - Elizabeth Matthews

Sheriff count in - but may not be over

A new McDonald County sheriff is announced more than a week after the election.

The ballot count in the race for sheriff was made official Wednesday, with former Sheriff Rob Evenson apparently defeating Chief Deputy Greg Sweeten.

But with only 18 votes separating the candidates the race might not be over.  Sweeten plans to file a court order this week asking for the ballots to be recounted by hand.

"It was heated, like most elections are," Evenson said.  "Both Mr. Sweeten and I were competing pretty strongly for the position on election night. (I) thought it was really exciting - it was back and forth - and you know, nerve racking.  And there sure wasn't a clear winner until the very end, so it was definitely an election to make people nervous about."

Evenson is confident that if the recount does happen the results will stay the same.