Canvass results fill Marlinton council seat

Boards of canvassers convened Monday night in Marlinton, Durbin and Hillsboro to review election results and consider any challenged or absentee ballots that may lawfully be counted.

Following the June 9 election, the fifth seat on the Marlinton Town Council was undecided as incumbent council member Sue Helton and council candidate Scott Gibb tied at 116 votes each. At the end of the canvass, Helton had 120 votes, just one vote ahead of Gibb at 119.

The canvass recesses for 48 hours to allow candidates to request a recount before the election results are certified. Only a candidate may request a recount, and the candidate must file a written request within the 48 hour time frame. To ensure a full 48 hours, the canvass will reconvene Thursday, June 18, at 7:30 p.m.

Uncertified results for the Town of Marlinton Election are as follows:

For Mayor: Sam Felton 172; Joseph “Joe” Smith 82.

For Recorder: BJ Roberta Gudmundsson 190.

For Council: Mark Strauss 184; Adam Randall Irvine 173; Don Morrison 161; Norris Long 141; Sue Helton 120; and Scott D. Gibb 119.

Uncertified results for Durbin: For Mayor: Kenneth “Kenny” Lehman 34; Mike Vance 27.

For Recorder: Danielle Wood Findley 43.

For Council: Jeremy Bauserman 44; Mark Smith 42; Robert L. Gray, Jr. 38; Shirley Mae Tracy 35; and Sheila Varner 33.

All races in the Hillsboro election were unopposed, so therefore any change in the number of votes would have no effect on the original outcome.

However, it came to light last week that council candidate Sarah Groves had not changed her address and was therefore not eligible to be elected. Once her address is changed to Hillsboro, Groves will likely by appointed to fill the fifth seat on Hillsboro’s council.

Elected council members are Richard Workman, Samuel McNeel, Jr., John Hill and Janice Good. Anne Walker retains her seat as mayor. No candidate filed for the recorder position.