All votes counted, results unchanged

The Wilson County Election Commission Provisional Counting Board met Friday afternoon to review all the provisional ballots completed from the Nov. 6 General Election.

Of the ballots completed during early voting and on Election Day, 65 ballots were found to be eligible to vote and were counted.

Before the count began, Administrator of Elections Phillip Warren said most races were won by margins that made it unlikely the results would change.

"The only race likely to be affected is the Lebanon Special School District board race," Warren said, explaining that the results of the contest between Steve Jones and Johnie Payton were decided by only nine votes, with Jones prevailing in the rematch.

Late Friday afternoon, Warren announced the results of the provisional ballot count.

"It went fine," he said. "Both Jones and Payton received seven votes apiece."

He said the original August contest was ultimately decided by only one vote, and after Jones went to court, the race went to the November rematch.

"The provisional vote reflected the race," Warren said. "The General Election results won't be certified by the state until Nov. 26, but all the counting is done. "That's elections for you."
 
Warren said the provisional voters whose votes did not count will receive a letter from the Election Commission informing them of the outcome. As part of the provisional process, each voter filled out a voter registration application, and those forms will be processed making them eligible to vote in the next election.

"The election commission website will reflect these latest results," Warren said.

Staff writer Mary Hinds may be reached at 615-444-3952, ext. 45 or maryhinds@lebanondemocrat.com.