Holiday delays count of Mahoning provisional ballots
Holiday delays count of Mahoning provisional ballots
Staff report
YOUNGSTOWN
The Mahoning County Board of Elections won’t count provisional votes until Nov. 29, leaving two close races undecided until at least then.
Those ballots could affect the outcome of races for Campbell mayor and Smith Township trustee.
After the provisional votes are counted Nov. 29, the last day to do so under state law, the results may trigger an automatic recount.
Automatic recounts are done if the margin of victory is 0.5 percent or less after all votes are counted.
Elections-board employees are determining the validity of those who voted provisionally as well as separating the valid votes from those they believe are invalid, said Joyce Kale-Pesta, the board’s deputy director.
Scheduling conflicts of board members around Thanksgiving caused the delay, she said. Board officials previously had announced they would count provisional ballots Nov. 22.
Read the full story Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com.