Unofficial results show challenger Sam Messina—an Independent running on the Republican line—leading incumbent Jack Cunningham by 109 votes.
468 absentee ballots were sent out to voters, according to the Board of Elections, 170 of which had been returned as of the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 4.
The affiliation of the voters ballots were sent to and the number returned is as follows:
•Democrat: 149 sent, 50 returned
•Republican: 171 sent, 75 returned
•Independent: 31 sent, 8 returned
•Conservative: 8 sent, 4 returned
•Working Families: 15 sent, zero returned
•No affiliation: 94 sent, 33 returned
Board officials expect another 50 to 100 ballots to come in today, at which point the tide will likely slow to a trickle.
Officials also said that absentee ballot returns tend to mirror results at the polls, though nothing will be certain until the ballots are opened.
The number of ballots sent overseas was not available. These ballots are a matter of concern because ballots were sent out so late after a legal challenge in the Working Families Party primary kept the general ballot from being finalized until Thursday, Oct. 29.
Absentee ballots must be postmarked by midnight on Nov. 2.
Check back to www.spotlightnews.com for continuing developments or read the Nov. 11 print edition of The Spotlight for more on this story.
