ROANOKE, Va. – Update:
The Office of Voter Registrations and Elections sent out a release Thursday afternoon stating that it had completed its canvass of General and Special Elections votes.
Cobb currently leads by 59 votes.
The board stated in the release:
Every eligible and legal vote cast in the City of Roanoke during the absentee voting period and on Election Day has been counted and certified in accordance with the timelines set forth by the state.
The certified vote totals for the Mayor’s race fall within the one-half of one percent margin permissible by Virginia Code for a locality-funded recount. Any candidate wishing to initiate a recount must file in the Roanoke City Circuit Court within 10 days. The Registrar’s Office is prepared to support this process if a recount is requested and granted.
The Office of Voter Registration and Elections
The Virginia Department of Elections has reported their final count with all provisional ballots for the Roanoke Mayoral Race. Joe Cobb looks to be the winner with 15,221 votes. Republican challenger and former mayor David Bowers sits at 15,162 votes. Independent candidate Stephanie Moon Reynolds has finished with 10,271 votes.
Bowers released a statement earlier today, stating:
“Election Day should be Election Day! The current process, taking a week to figure out, does nothing but instill suspicion and doubt among voters in the integrity and surety of our elections."
David Bowers
Nicholas Ocamp, Director of Elections and General Registrar in Roanoke, said the following:
“A full statement from my office will be released once the electoral board has certified the complete election results and we have received the required approvals from the Department of Elections."
Nicholas Ocamp, Director of Elections and General Registrar in Roanoke
Joe Cobb also released a statement, saying the following:
This small margin of victory proves that in an election every single vote matters, and every single valid vote must be counted. I continue to ask for patience and understanding as these final steps are taken, and will support and stand by the outcome, regardless of the final tally.
Joe Cobb
Cobb also thanked Nicholas Ocampo, Ocampo’s staff, and the Electoral Board for their work.
We will update you with any new information regarding this close race.
[RELATED: Meet the Candidate - Joe Cobb]
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