Absentee ballots don't affect primary results

September 16, 2010|By ANDREW SCHOTZ

The 712 absentee ballots counted Thursday didn't change the outcomes of Tuesday's primary election in Washington County.

The closest local race was for three seats on the Washington County Board of Education. Six candidates in a field of 11 will advance to the Nov. 2 general election.

At the end of Tuesday night, three candidates in the middle of the pack were separated by 79 votes. Wayne M. Kretzer was fifth with 3,796 votes, Russell F. Williams II was sixth with 3,752 votes and James W. Staley was seventh with 3,717 votes.

Kretzer picked up 130 absentee votes Thursday, Williams added 135 and Staley added 114 -- leaving Staley 56 votes behind Williams for the sixth and final spot.

The Washington County Board of Elections is scheduled to meet Wednesday to count the remaining 240 or so absentee and provisional ballots.

In the Republican primary for five Washington County Commissioners seats, Ruth Anne Callaham was fifth after Tuesday, with 4,899 votes. Robin Lynne Wivell was sixth, with 4,632 votes -- 267 fewer than Callaham.

During Thursday's absentee count, Wivell picked up 28 more votes than Callaham, leaving her 239 votes behind.

The top five Republicans in the commissioners race will advance to the general election.

Updated results, including absentee ballots, are posted at the board's website at http://www.washco-md.net/election/elect1.html. Click on "Unofficial Primary Summary Results."

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