GUNTERSVILLE, Ala (WHNT) — People say every vote counts, and in Guntersville, that was certainly the case on Tuesday.
“I never expected it to be that close by one vote either side,” Mayor Leigh Dollar said. “Either way, you know, you never expect that one vote.”
This year’s race was between incumbent Leigh Dollar and challenger Feff McLaughlin. After more than two thousand votes were tallied, the difference came down to one.
“It’s nice to be the one vote ahead, but it’s still certainly way too close to call,” Dollar said.
The decision lies in the hands of seven provisional votes.
These are ballots that were filled out in person, but were set aside for extra review.
“The board of registrars at the courthouse will determine if those are eligible votes or not,” she said. “They are sealed just like an absentee, and it’s still secret when those are opened, we don’t know who voted for who.”
While he’s behind right now, McLaughlin said he’s looking at the situation in a positive light.
‘Hey, I started at zero and came within maybe a vote or two,” he said. “That was people getting behind me and helping me, and I appreciate that very much.”
Although this isn’t the first time Guntersville has seen a race like this. The candidates said in the early 2000s, another race also came down to the wire.
Both candidates said this just proves how much your vote truly counts.
“A single vote can make a difference, and it certainly will,” McLaughlin said.
“It’s so important to exercise your right to vote because so many times people say, ‘my vote doesn’t matter,’ yes it does,” Dollar said.
As for what is next, the additional votes will be counted at the next city council meeting this coming Tuesday. If there is a tie after those are counted, the two will head into a runoff.
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