ASHLAND — Final elections tallies in two races were too close and triggered an automatic recount, according to the Ashland County Board of Elections.
The board certified the results of the General Election on Monday, which yielded new candidates and levy renewals across the county.
Final results included 72 provisionals and 11 extra absentee ballots, said Shannon Johnson, the board’s director.
See the final results across the county here.
The races for Savannah Village Council and Loudonville-Perrysville school board were still too close, however.
This means there will now be three recounts: the two candidates races and a Jeromesville tax levy.
The levy tied, with 43 votes against and in favor. There were no provisionals and absentee ballots, meaning the issue’s fate lies solely with the result of a recount. Should the recount remain unchanged, the levy would fail, according to state law.
Which candidate races are too close?
Unofficial results show a slim margin between Loudonville-Perrysville school board candidates John Temple and Tyler McCaskey.
The boards of elections in Ashland, Holmes and Richland counties have certified their results. Johnson said the results in Knox County for the Loudonville-Perrysville race will not change.
When added up, the margin between both Temple and McCaskey totals five votes.
Johnson said that triggers an automatic recount.
| Candidate | Ashland County results | Knox County results (unofficial) | Holmes County results | Richland County results |
| John Temple | 595 | 21 | 61 | 16 |
| Tyler McCaskey | 565 | 21 | 78 | 24 |
In Savannah, the race between Doug Yoho and Sarah McBride is also too close to call.
| Candidate | Ashland County results |
| Sarah McBride | 36 |
| Doug Yoho | 37 |
What happens next?
The board of elections has penciled in a recount meeting for Nov. 24.
The board will most likely undergo a recount for the Jeromesville tax levy and Savannah village council on that date.
But the Loudonville-Perrysville school board race remains in question.
“When you have a multi-district recount, the state has to order it,” she said, adding the board of elections has sent a letter to the state regarding the Loudonville-Perrysville race. The school district also lies in parts of Richland, Knox and Holmes counties.
“So we’re waiting on word from the secretary of state’s office on that one,” she said.