Canvas expected to confirm Pamlico voting

BAYBORO — Today’s canvas of the Pamlico County municipal elections are expected to be a formality to confirm voter choices from last Tuesday’s elections.

Since the election, a recheck of votes show former Oriental commissioner Warren Johnson with a two-vote lead over newcomer Harvey Hardison, in the only race previously expected to be impacted by the canvas.

On election night, Johnson held a one-vote lead, and with one provisional remaining, there was a possibility of a tie.

But Lisa Bennett, the county elections director, said an absentee vote was also cast for Johnson and on recheck, he had a two-vote lead – leaving the provisional with no effect on the outcome.

She said Hardison could ask for a recount and could request that by 5 p.m. Thursday.

Oriental had the only contested race in the county, and voters chose newcomer Jennifer Roe, along with incumbents Candy Bohmert and Sherrill Styron, along with former board members Barb Venturi and Johnson to fill the five seats. Mayor Bill Sage was unopposed.

Write-in candidates who won seats in four towns were confirmed Monday during a meeting by the county board of elections.

Incumbent Minnesott Beach commissioner Dave Stewart’s spot for re-election was secured with 105 write-in votes.

That blocked former Mayor Ray Lee’s attempt to return to elected office.

In Alliance, Mesic and Vandemere, the ballots were short a candidate for each town and write-ins filled the slots.

The winners included Harry Books, with 20 votes, in Alliance; Theron Jones with 41 votes, in Mesic; and Jim Sherwood, with 21 votes, in Vandemere.

The county elections board meets at 11 a.m. today at the courthouse to canvas and confirm the election results.

Charlie Hall can be reached at 252-635-5667 or chall@freedomenc.com.