The Franklin Flyer
Franklin High School’s online Student-run newspaper
Third Runner-Up Challenges Homecoming Court Results with Recount
November 28, 2016
by Mabel Sears-Ragu
Jane Klein, a 17-year-old senior here at Franklin High School in Altoona, Wisconsin, is calling for a recount of the 2016 Franklin High homecoming court election. Klein, the third runner-up for homecoming queen, is questioning the integrity of voting with paper ballots. “It’s totally crazy that we can’t just text in our votes,” Klein says, “American Idol did it, why can’t we?”
There is evidence that underclassmen, who are typically barred from voting for homecoming king and queen, tampered with the election, but it is unlikely that a recount would change the election results. “I wouldn’t be surprised if those little sh*ts f*cked around with that dumb*ss election” states 20-year-old junior Marcus McDonough, “but I don’t really give a sh*t about this f*cking dumb*ss school.”
Regardless of tampering, Franklin High is abuzz with Klein’s recount effort. “Well, if we do a recount then we get to miss fourth period again” reports 15-year-old junior Tiffany Chen.
“I sat next to Jane in Spanish our sophomore year and we never spoke. Not even in Spanish,” recalls 18-year-old senior May Robinson. When asked about her thoughts on the recount, Robinson responded, “I don’t know.”
A recount of this kind is unprecedented at Franklin High. Normally elections go without contest. The last homecoming court recount was conducted in 1994 only because the gym burnt down (no one was hurt in the fire).
“I didn’t realize this was such a big deal to her” claims Ruth Klein, Jane’s mother,* “but I’ll support her no matter what.” Klein’s father chose not to comment.
Klein has garnered enough student signatures to present to student government for the recount, but it is anyone’s guess what will happen when the recount occurs.
*Mrs. Klein preferred to withhold her age for this article.