Leslye Oquendo-Thomas’s election-day lead of 12 votes remains unchanged after two days when mailed-in absentee ballots could be counted. In the race for the Democratic party nomination to run for the county legislature’s 17th district, insurgent candidate Oquendo-Thomas holds a 49.65 percent to 50.30 percent margin over her opponent, party-endorsed Wilson A. Terrero.
Absentee ballots, which must be postmarked on election day, can be received and counted until Tuesday. Other categories of ballot – those that are deemed invalid, undeliverable or not cured (i.e. corrected by the voter if possible) will be reviewed Monday. “Affadavit” ballots – filled out by voters at the polls – will also be reviewed Monday.
One problem at the board of elections, one that many of us may be familiar with, is the unpredictability of mail service. Absentee ballots come by mail, and not a single one has arrived at the board since election day. “One day you might get none, the next day you might get a hundred,” said Whitney Felder, executive assistant to Democratic Commissioner Tajian M. Nelson.
If the current 12 vote margin holds, board policy is to conduct a full manual recount.
The election must be certified by July 6, according to Felder.
