Election Officials Clear One Provisional Ballot in Martin Race

By Charlie Bauder, WNEG Radio, Toccoa

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

Election officials say that 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 cast a ballot.

As a result, that vote will be counted.

Officials say 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 town council seats and the top two vote-getters will be elected.

Two other provisional ballots remain under consideration.

According to officials, a decision will be made by 5 pm. Friday as to whether those provisional ballots will be counted.