Provisional votes favor Fulkerson, Young

Republicans hold on to narrow wins in CanneltonTELL CITY - Members of the county election board counted four provisional ballots Friday. Cast during the Nov. 6 election by voters who did not have the state-required photo identification and counted by the election board, the votes didn't change the outcomes of two close races for Cannelton City Council.

Five ballots were cast provisionally during the election but not tabulated with others cast on Election Day. Under state law, the election board is required to meet to decide whether the votes are to be counted. Four of the five voters presented acceptable identification so their votes could be counted, County Clerk Debbie Elder said.

In the race for the District 1 seat, Republican Lynn Fulkerson picked up two votes, giving her a final five-vote win over incumbent Democrat Bruce Myers. The final tally was 288 votes for Fulkerson and 283 for Myers.

At the end of vote tabulating the evening of Election Day, Ful-kerson held a four-vote lead. Myers received one additional vote among provisional ballots.

Provisional votes counted Fri-day maintained the razor-thin margin Republican Johnny Young III held over his Democrat opponent, John Yaggi. As of Election Day, Young held a 284-to-281-vote lead over Yaggi. Both candidates received two additional votes Friday.

Because of the closeness of the two races, Myers or Yaggi, or the Democrat party, could seek a recount. However, Myers said Monday he did not plan to seek one.

County Democrat Chair-woman Mary Kay Elder also called a recount very unlikely. Yaggi could not be reached Tuesday.

When they take office Jan. 1, Young and Fulkerson will be the only Republicans to hold elected office in Cannelton. Smokey Graves will be sworn in as mayor, with Arvina Bo-zarth serving as the city's clerk-treasurer. They defeated incumbents Melvin McBrayer and Mary Snyder Nov. 6.

Democrats swept municipal elections in Tell City, capturing the offices of mayor, clerk-treasurer and all five seats on the city council.

Longtime Tell City Clerk-Treasurer Barbara Ewing will become the city's mayor Jan. 1.