Finality on who will lead Ward 4 for the next four years should come this evening after voters choose between incumbent Fred Stewart and challenger Marty Turner in today’s run-off election.
Polls at Propst Park Community Hut, Hunt and the First Assembly Activities Building close at 7 p.m.
In the May 7 primary election, Turner had 53.7 percent of the 643 votes before absentee and affidavit ballots were counted, but 100 out of 127 of absentee ballots were cast for Stewart. Official results had Turner finishing with 371 votes, or 48.1 percent. Stewart finished just eight votes behind him with 363, or 47.1 percent. Fifty percent plus one vote is required in a primary to win outright.
Turner is vying to oust five-term councilman Stewart. This election cycle has been the first time Stewart has had an opponent since he first ran and won in 1998.
Today’s runoff is the first the city has had since 2005, when one was held for the mayoral race and three councilman races. City registrar Brenda Williams said there was a larger voter turnout for the primary election that year than the runoff.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 32 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.