Thirteen additional temporary votes were given the green light to be counted in the close Republican competition for state representative in the 117th District.
At a crowded session on Friday, the Luzerne County Election Board decided to count most of the ballots, dismissing the challenges. In some cases, the challenges were withdrawn after testimony and discussion by the board.
However, the county cannot open and count these results until the two-day appeal period ends by the close of business on Monday, according to county Assistant Solicitor Gene Molino.
This means the earliest time the results can be known is Tuesday.
If appeals are submitted, all the votes cannot be counted until the appeals are dealt with. Appeals need to be filed to the county Court of Common Pleas and potentially the Commonwealth Court, as per attorneys.
Currently, there are four votes difference between the two candidates of the party — Jamie Walsh with 4,728 votes and incumbent Mike Cabell with 4,724 votes.
A fourteenth ballot was under consideration on Friday because Cabell’s campaign argued that the vote of a voter should be included since the person had not fully relocated to a residence in Schuylkill County until March 29. They claimed he was still eligible to vote in Butler Township during the April 23 primary due to a 30-day period.
The board dismissed that challenge.
Please return later for complete coverage of the meeting.
