Election Day roundup: Some Washington County races could hinge on provisional ballots
Trending
The outcome of a handful of races from Tuesday's general election in Washington County could change once provisional and any outstanding absentee ballots are tallied.
According to final, unofficial results released Tuesday night, Marietta City Councilman Bill Farnsworth, D-at large, finished fourth in the race for three seats. Democratic Councilman Harley Noland was the top vote-getter, with 1,770, followed by Republican Councilwoman Cassidi Shoaf (1,704). Newcomer Ben Rutherford, a Republican, received 1,656 votes to Farnsworth's 1,638 and Democrat Kevin Paskawych's 1,426.
But there are 72 provisional ballots among the city's 10 precincts still to be reviewed and possibly counted during the Nov. 15 canvas, said Mandy Amos, director of the Washington County Board of Elections.
That does not include approximately 100 absentee ballots countywide that could be counted if they were postmarked by Monday and received by Nov. 13, she said.
State law dictates an automatic recount if the margin of victory is within one half of 1% of the total votes cast in the race, Amos said.
"Anyone can request a recount, but they do have to pay for it" if the margin is greater, she said.
The closest race in the county is for Liberty Township fiscal officer, where Judy Mercer received 41 votes and Miranda Fleeman got 40, according to Tuesday's totals. April Greene received 36 and Jeanne M. Kerns 29 with one provisional ballot to be considered.
If that ballot is accepted and has a vote for Fleeman, the victor would be determined by chance, likely a coin flip, Amos said. An automatic recount would follow at a later date.
Ludlow Township trustee candidate Jarod L. Kiggans edged out incumbent Brent Weckbacher by two votes, 45-43, with Ryan Grimes in third place with 23 votes. Only one provisional ballot is in that precinct, but if it's counted and goes to Weckbacher, the recount standard would be met.
In Warren Township, incumbent Fiscal Officer Amy McKenzie leads Paula J. Webb 613-601, but there are 18 provisional ballots that could still impact the race, Amos said.
There are no provisional ballots in Independence Township, where a proposed five-year, 2.212-mill levy to support maintenance and operation of cemeteries was rejected by four votes, 36-32.
Tuesday's election saw a 47.12% turnout, with 19,758 of the county's 41,927 registered voters weighing in on state constitutional amendments, township trustee and mayoral races and more.
"It seems like we've had a pretty high volume of voters turning out," Amos said a couple of hours before the polls closed Tuesday.
There was a technical issue Tuesday morning, when bar codes printed on voters' printouts weren't being read properly by machines, Amos said. This was addressed by printing out new sheets poll workers could scan to make sure the voters got the correct ballot on their screen, she said.
David Hanes was elected mayor of Lowell, according to Tuesday's final unofficial results. Hanes finished with 80 votes, 55.56%, defeating Charity Clutter, who received 64, 44.44% of the total votes.
Terry Dunn Sr. won the race for mayor of New Matamoras. Dunn received 155 votes, or 66.52%, defeating Shane M. Bellville who received 78, or 33.48%.
Results in other ballot issues and contested races included:
The final tally on the renewal of a five-year, 0.55-mill Washington County foster care levy was 12,232 for and 7,095 against.
A five-year, 1.5-mill fire and emergency medical service levy for Barlow Township was renewed by a margin of 790-188.
A five-year, 2-mill fire and EMS service replacement levy for Salem Township passed, 306-74.
New Matamoras voters rejected a five-year, 3-mill levy that would have raised an additional $25,000 a year by a 140-95 margin.
Incumbent Aurelius Township Trustee Denver Hesson fended off a challenge from Bill Mincks, 86-31.
Randy Hesson had the lead in the race for an unexpired Aurelius Township trustee term, 65-54.
Jenni Young won a three-way race for Belpre Township fiscal officer with 382 votes to 353 for incumbent Paula M. Smith and 304 for Toni L. Smith.
Rick Kemper unseated incumbent Decatur Township Trustee Trent Yoho, 270-161.
Aaron Fleming was reelected as Dunham Township trustee, 534-239, over Dustin Maze.
In Grandview Township, Kimberly Ann Butler defeated Jody Buegel in the race for fiscal officer, 278-173.
Kevin A. Greene got 69 votes to win the race for Liberty Township trustee over Samuel Harris (46) and incumbent LeRoy A. Schroeder (37).
Alex Pfaff won the race for Muskingum Township trustee with 1,075 votes over Bill Mason (326), Brian E. Pracht (290) and Chris Archer (111).
Robert B. Edgar defeated Rick Seevers 420-225 for a Newport Township trustee seat.
In Salem Township, Dustin Schott defeated incumbent Trustee Clinton Miller, 215-169.
Dan Foy emerged victorious from a three-man contest for Warren Township trustee with 723 votes to Paul Mason's 294 and Joseph Wellspring's 277.
Three area Par Mar stores and a meat processing plant had alcohol issues approved by voters.
Petitions to allow Sunday sales of alcohol were approved for Par Mar stores at 2346 State Route 550, Wesley Township (147-111); 8600 State Route 339 in Barlow Township (373-247); and 66 Arrowhead Road, Belpre Township (223-158).
Staley Countryside Meat Co., 39 Veto Road, Little Hocking, is now allowed to offer carryout sales of beer, wine and pre-packaged, low-proof mixed beverages until 1 a.m. Decatur Township voters approved the measure 282-171.
Douglass Huxley contributed to this story.
Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com.