One Provisional Ballot Counts In Martin So Far

Stephens County election officials said that one of the provisional ballots under consideration in the Martin municipal election will count as a vote.

According to election officials, the county was able to determine that one of the individuals asked to vote with a provisional ballot did in fact live within the town limits of Martin and was eligible to vote.

As a result, that vote will be counted.

Officials said counting that provisional ballot added one vote each to the totals of incumbents Harold Alexander and Mark Gearhart.

That gives Alexander 35 votes and Gearhart 23 votes in the race for Martin Town Council.

Challenger Diane Yow Cole, the third person in the race, has 20 votes.

Martin voters were asked to vote for two of the three candidates to fill two council seats up for election and the top two vote-getters will be elected.

Two provisional ballots remain under consideration.

Officials said that a decision will be made by 5 p.m. Friday as to whether those provisional ballots will be counted.