Keith Gaskin has won the Columbus mayoral election, according to unofficial totals.
He will take office July 1.
Gaskin, an independent who currently works for Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science, edged out Democratic incumbent Robert Smith by a 2,908-2,884 margin, after election officials counted the final 18 ballots Tuesday afternoon, which broke 17-1 for Smith.
That included 12 accepted mail-in absentee ballots received since election day, and six affidavits that were on hold because the voters had also requested a mail-in absentee but instead voted in-person June 8. Four absentees were not accepted.
The vote will be certified Wednesday morning.
Prior to Tuesday’s count, Gaskin led Smith by a 40-vote margin after election officials processed 158 affidavit ballots on Thursday. At the time, City Registrar Brenda Williams said there were up to 53 outstanding mail-in absentee ballots.
In order for the absentee ballots to be processed, they had to be postmarked by election day and arrive at the registrar’s office by Tuesday.
Smith leaves office having served as mayor for 15 years. He was first elected in 2006 following the departure of former mayor Jeffrey Rupp.
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