CHEYENNE - Voters in a tiny sliver of Lincoln County return to the polls today for a special election that will determine the new state representative from House District 22.

Democrat Jim Roscoe of Wilson edged Republican Charles Stough of Pinedale in the Nov. 4 election by just four votes.

A recount turned up voting problems that led the state canvassing board to call for a special election in the voter precinct that encompasses the town of Alpine, which is about 40 miles south of Jackson, near the Wyoming-Idaho border.

Votes from the rest of the district, in Teton and Sublette counties, which have already been certified, will be added to today's totals to determine the winner.

HD 22 covers most of Sublette County, parts of northern Lincoln County, southern Teton county and Wilson.

As the vote stands now in Teton and Sublette counties, Stough leads Roscoe by 41votes, 2,564 to 2,523.

Roscoe, a 58-year-old contractor, said he has been campaigning door to door, and speaking to voters on a commuter bus that hauls workers from Alpine to Jackson each day.

Roscoe, a newcomer to politics, said voters seem fairly fatigued by the long campaign season this year, so he's not sure people will turn out in large numbers to participate in the election.

In addition, several people who supported him in the general election said they are leaving early for the Thanksgiving holiday and won't be able to vote.

"It's just a completely different election in a lot of ways," Roscoe said.

Stough, 46, who works for an econological consulting firm, did not return a call for comment.

Republicans outnumber Democrats in the precinct 448 to 166, according to county records.

Polling is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Alpine Town Hall. All who are eligible to vote in the district may participate, and Election Day voter registration will be allowed, County Clerk Jeanne Wagner said.

However, those who cast ballots anywhere else in Wyoming, or in another state, will not be allowed to participate, Wagner said.

"Those people have already cast a vote for someone for representation," Wagner added. "So this is only for those Alpine registered voters, and anyone who would not have voted anywhere in the general election on Nov. 4."

The outcome of the race will not affect the balance of power in Cheyenne. Even if Roscoe wins today, Democrats will number only 19 in the House, not enough to protect a gubernatorial veto.

Check the Star-Tribune Web site for results the night of the election.

Contact capital bureau reporter Jared Miller at (307) 632-1244 or {M7jared.miller@trib.com

{M7