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, Marietta City Councilman Bill Farnsworth, a Democrat, finished fourth in the race for three at-large 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.

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.