There were no celebrations at the Magnolia Community Center after ballots in the town’s Democratic Party runoffs were counted Tuesday night, and candidates were cautious with their comments.
When the polls closed, complete but unofficial returns showed incumbent Police Chief Ray Reynolds with a six-vote lead over challenger John Taylor, 316 to 310.
Clarence Burton Sr. led Edward “Bull Moose” Johnson by seven votes, 297 to 290, in the party runoff for alderman at large.
But nine affidavit ballots that city election officials will count sometime today could determine the winners.
Affidavit ballots are cast by voters who say they are registered to vote, although their names are not listed in the poll book.
The ballots are usually counted the day after the regular ballots are counted.
Election officials must verify that the voter lives in the city and is a registered voter before their ballot can be counted.
“I’m going to wait until the affidavit votes are counted before I make a statement,” Reynolds said. “I appreciate the citizens who came out and supported me and who supported my opponent.”
Burton also said he was waiting until the final results.
“I want to thank the voters for coming out and casting their votes, and I want to thank my supporters,” Taylor said.
“Now it’s time to move on.”
The final count today will decide the police chief’s race.
The runoff winner has no opposition in the June 2 general election.
The winner of the runoff between Burton and Johnson will face independents John Mercier and Smithie Buie Jr. in the general election.
