Municipal election official Colleen Ingman demonstrates the difference between a good ballot and one that is “spoiled.” Co-worker Sara Peterson looks on. (KCAW photo/Ed Ronco)
Absentee ballots were counted in Sitka this afternoon (10-5-12), with no change in the outcome of last Tuesday’s municipal election.
In fact the front runners in both the mayor and assembly races expanded their leads.
On election night, mayor elect Mim McConnell held a 277-vote lead over the incumbent, Cheryl Westover. That increased to 331 votes today.
On the assembly ballot things were a bit tighter. Third-place finisher Michelle Putz held an 85-vote lead over Aaron Swanson. Absentee ballots increased that spread to 99 votes.
Write in ballots for a second school board seat were counted on Tuesday night, but the write-in candidates were not identified until this afternoon. As expected, Jennifer Robinson won the seat with 573 votes out of 668 write-in ballots cast.
The Sitka assembly will certify the election at its next regular meeting on Tuesday, October 9. The new members will be sworn in at the conclusion of old business.
