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With 22 candidates vying for the mayor’s seat and the five council seats in Brundidge, the situation was primed for a record turnout at the polls on Tuesday.

However, the 1,704 total votes cast was in line with the number of votes cast in 2016, said Linda Faust, Brundidge city clerk and election manager.

“With that many candidates, a larger than usual turnout at the polls was a possibility,” Faust said. “But, concern about COVID-19 was likely a factor and we also had a larger number of absentee votes.”

The mayor’s race led the ballot but the impending results of two provisional ballots could force a run-off, Faust said.

A total of 857 votes were cast in the mayoral race with incumbent mayor Isabell Boyd tallying 429 votes and challengers, former mayor Jimmy Ramage at 201, Anthony Foster, 162, Mike McNally, 17 and Rodney Wilson, 48.

“The provisional ballots were taken to the Board of Registrars on Wednesday morning,” Faust said. “Once the Board of Registrars returns the provisional ballots to the city clerk’s office, the council will convene to canvas the results. “

Faust said, with the two provisional votes, the results could force a run-off in the mayor’s race and also in District 3.

“Should Mayor Boyd receive one of the provisional votes, she will be declared the winner,” Faust said. “Otherwise there will be a run-off.”

When the final votes were counted only two council positions were settled.

Incumbent District 4 Council Member Byron Gaynor reclaimed his seat with a 140 to 66 decision over newcomer Paula Hall. Marilyn Rodgers won the District 5 seat in her first time out. Rodgers tallied 114 votes in the win over James Jones and incumbent Christopher Foster.

Jones had 61 votes and Foster had 23.

In the District 3 race, incumbent Margaret Ross was clinging to a three vote 73-70 lead over challengers Henry Everett with 54 votes, and Angie Kelly at 16. 

Two provisional ballots are yet to be resolved. Should Everett receive the two provisional ballots, there would be a run-off with Ross.

Runoffs will be held for the District 1 and District 2 council seats.

In District 1, incumbent Betty Baxter will face challenger Gerald Holland in the October 6 runoff. Baxter received 60 votes to Holland’s 54.

Challengers Johnny Turvin received 22 votes and Lynette Andrews, 5.

Newcomer to the political arena, Latisher Hall tallied 71 votes to lead the challenge for the District 2 seat held by Alexandria Griffin, who completed the term of her deceased father, Arthur Griffin. Griffin received 43 votes. Other challengers were Stacy Flournoy with 22 votes, Jessica Collier, 18 votes and Charlie Bell, 5.

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