Lewis emphasizes that her initial request for the recount was based on the fact that she felt it was important to account for all the ballots that were temporarily out of the election departments control when the vehicle of a poll worker was stolen with the ballots inside. Those ballots were all designated for the Jackson library poll location. The car was later recovered in the Sacramento area and Lewis feels that it was prudent to check to verify that every ballot stolen was recovered; and according to Lewis, she was told by the elections department that the only way to verify that was a complete recount of the Jackson precinct ballots.

Lewis’ decision to withdraw her request, according to a letter written by Lewis to the Elections Department, is based on  her original understanding that the only way to assure that all of the ballots in the stolen car were safely returned was through a recount. Lewis emphasizes that her only concern is to verify the safe return of the stolen ballots, at the earliest time. Lewis’s letter also request that the election department make available to her the appropriate elections materials available for her review for determination if any of the stolen ballots were used unlawfully.