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There is one problem that came up at the Erie County Election Office that can't be smoothed out before Election Day.  CLICK FOR VIDEO  It may mean some candidates may not be able to declare a clear victory Tuesday night.

The problem is with the machine that scans and tabulates absentee ballots. It's not working.  So that means the 1200 absentee ballots received for this election will be counted by hand. The counting will probably not be started until Friday.                                     

This will also be an election with many write-in votes. In fact, at least two candidates in the race for County Council in East County, have launched write-in campaigns, including the incumbent.  Usually write-in votes are not counted until Friday.

Erie County Clerk of Elections Doug Smith, says his office will be staying on top of the write-in votes, and should have those numbers tallied quickly Tuesday night for the County Council races.

"What we are going to do, at least in the six county council races, is do an unofficial write-in count because of the unusual make-up of the election this time around.  We felt that was an important additional thing to do.  Beyond that, most of the write-ins will not be counted until Friday," Smith said.

This is an off-year election, and usually voter interest is not as high as in a presidential election year. But there are many important races to be decided, including County Executive, Erie City Council, and many school board posts.

Also, state judges will be elected and there will be a retention vote for Erie County Judge Stephanie Domitrovich.
  

John Last