A recount Thursday confirmed that Fulton County Commission Chairman John Eaves held off a challenge from a Democratic colleague. But it’s less clear whether his opponent will continue his challenge in court.
Results of the recount show Eaves defeated Commissioner Robb Pitts by 303 votes in the Democratic race for commission chairman. That’s a slight change from the 315-vote lead Eaves had after the first count was completed last week.
Under state law, Pitts was entitled to request a recount because Eaves’ margin of victory was less than 1 percent.
Pitts also has hinted that he might challenge the results in Superior Court. He’s hired an election consultant to review last week’s primary. Among the issues the consultant is examining: long lines at one Atlanta precinct that apparently led to some voters giving up and going home.
On Thursday, Pitts was mum on what his next step might be.
“I’m going to follow (the consultant’s) advice,” he said. “There’s still some issues he’s reviewing.”
Thursday’s recount is the latest twist in a sometimes bruising campaign between the two veteran Democrats seeking to prolong their political careers.
Pitts, 72, is in his third term as a commissioner. He challenged Eaves, saying Fulton needed new leadership. He said Eaves has presided over a period when Fulton County’s influence in regional affairs has waned.
Eaves, 52, has served two terms as chairman. He disputed Pitts’ claims to leadership, saying his rival had avoided tough votes on the county budget and other issues.
The result was a close race. Had Pitts picked up a single vote in each of the county’s 365 precincts, he would have won the election.
Unless Pitts challenges the results in court, Eaves will now face Republican Earl Cooper in November.
“Even though it was a very close race, I’m still encouraged and prepared to march on to the general election in November,” Eaves said after recount results were released Thursday.
County Election Director Richard Barron said the change in Eaves’ margin of victory came from a different count of provisional and absentee ballots, which are paper ballots that must be re-scanned before they are recounted. He said many variables – including where the ballots were folded and how voters marked the ballots – can cause different results when the ballots are re-scanned.
Aside from the precinct with long lines and another where some voters were confused about parking, Barron said he’s happy with the way last week’s election went.
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