Tie possible in Sidney school levy vote; recount expected
By Darrin Michael
Staff writer
As of Monday morning, it appeared a single vote had decided the outcome of the Sidney City School district's attempt to pass its 9.9-mill emergency operating levy. However, that all will likely change today once Logan County's Board of Election's makes its results of the November election official.
According to results of the election for Shelby County, which the county's Board of Elections made official Monday, the final tally came to 4,448 for the levy, or 49.99 percent, to 4,449, or 50.01 percent, against it.
Once Logan County election officials maker their results official tomorrow, the vote total regarding both sides of the issues is expected to be dead even.
According to the unofficial results for the election in Logan County, approximately five votes will be added to the final levy total once the results are made official - three of which are for the levy and two against it. None of the votes from Logan County came from provisional ballots.
If made official, the votes from Logan County will bring the final tally will to 4,451 for the levy to 4,451 against it.
Following the conclusion of the Nov. 3 election, the unofficial results indicated the levy had been defeated by 43 votes, with 4,335 (49.75 percent) in favor to 4,378 (50.25 percent) against it. County election officials said there were approximately 306 provisional ballots left to be counted in the county - 210 of which included the school levy issue on them.
"As always we are going to remain optimistic," Sidney City Schools Superintendent Pat O'Donnell said Monday.
Pending the final results being certified by Shelby County Board of Elections on Nov. 24, a recount is expected to follow. As of Monday, officials at the elections office added they would be looking into exactly what steps would have to be taken if the recount also shows a split in voters. The Ohio Revised Code indicates a candidate or issue must win by a majority vote. A tie would result in a loss.
According to recount procedures, a recount is required in any district, county, municipal or township election if the difference between votes cast for the declared winning nominee, candidate, question or issue is equal to or less than one-half of 1 percent (0.5 percent) of the total votes cast on the race or issue.
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