Update: According to Lynn Constable, there are approximately 50 outstanding ballots left to be counted. That should be completed within the next day or so.

The preliminary election results from last night are in, and at this point, it appears that Mayor Jim Bunker has been defeated by challenger Chris Marley with a margin of only 24 votes.

Bunker received 1,071 votes (49.29%), while Marley received 1,095 votes (50.39%). There were seven write-in ballots.

It should be stressed that these are the unofficial returns, and it is likely that these totals can and will change.

As for council, six candidates were vying for three seats. In order to win a seat outright, they must win 50% plus one of the 2201 ballots cast, meaning they must get at least 1101 votes. Otherwise, they will have a runoff in May.

Lon Turner apparently won his seat outright, receiving 1250 votes (22.51%).

Although many of the other candidates were close, it does not appear that they won outright:

Mike Best - 955 votes (17.20%)

James Conn - 808 votes (14.55%)

Darryl Croft - 988 votes (17.80%)

Charlotte Marriott - 814 votes (14.66%)

Lon Turner -1250 votes (22.51%)

Donna Williams - 724 votes (13.04%)

Depending on whether or not there are enough ballots remaining to be counted that would push any other candidates over the 1101 threshold, a run-off between Best, Conn, Croft and Marriott will take place in May. That is also when the KOA initiative will appear on the ballot.