Elections officials to count votes in race for Lawrence Co. sheriff

NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Early next week, Perry Quahliero, Lawrence County Democratic sheriff candidate, should have some idea whether he can continue carrying his party's nomination for that post, or hand the victory over to Charles H. Adamo.
County elections officials said they will tabulate votes Monday from nearly 500 ballots that were overlooked on Tuesday.
Counting will start at 10 a.m. at the Lawrence County Government Center.
Until then, the box containing the ballots will remain sealed and secured.
According to unofficial primary results, Quahliero beat Adamo by nine votes. However, after the primary, county elections officials discovered that an election box full of ballots from Neshannock Township's 7th precinct had been overlooked. More than 200 of those ballots belong to Democrats.
"It could make a difference in a close race," said Marlene Gabriel, county elections director.
According to preliminary counts on Tuesday, Quahliero received 3,475 votes, while Adamo claimed 3,466.
The Democratic party's nominee will face Republican Thomas Wharry in November's general election.
Gabriel said the final count could also change the Neshannock Township school board race, which has two open seats.
Meanwhile, because of a high number of write-in votes Tuesday, the deadline for counting those votes was extended from Thursday to 5 p.m. today, Gabriel said.