Automatic recounts unlikely for Mahoning sales tax, probate court race

YOUNGSTOWN — While the vote totals for the Mahoning County sales tax and the Democratic primary for county probate court were very close, both are unlikely to be eligible for automatic recounts.

And even if there are recounts that make the races closer, the results won’t change.

There were 180 provisional ballots cast in this primary, said Joyce Kale-Pesta, county board of elections director.

But the county sales tax — to make a half-percent tax permanent rather than be up for vote every five years — failed by 519 votes, according to unofficial totals.

The probate primary saw Susan Maruca beat Christopher Sammarone by 222 votes.

There were 164 Democratic provisional ballots cast in Tuesday’s primary.

If the margin of victory is 0.5 of 1 percent or lower, there’s an automatic recount. A recount hasn’t overturned the certified vote in the county in at least 15 years, however.

For the complete story, read Thursday's Vindicator and Vindy.com