Ward tops Seneca Council Vote

Only 728 voters cast ballots yesterday in the 2014 Seneca General Election to fill four seats on the City Council.  The unofficial vote count went to incumbent Joel Ward with 434.  “Well, I love being the top vote getter, but it was a low turnout today and I knew it was going to be close.  It is exciting to be a part of the City Council and I hope that we can do many great things in the future.” Ward was followed by Stuart Pohl’s 365 votes, Scott Durham’s 363 votes and Denise Rozman’s 310 votes.  The remaining candidates; Ernest Riley garnered 310 votes; Robert Holbrooks had 305 votes, Joel Arnold 302 votes and Andrea Alewine 288 votes.  Yesterday’s election was the first Seneca election conducted by the Oconee County Elections Commission.  Oconee County Voter Registration and Elections Director Joy Brooks congratulated them on a job well done.  “As a first run through for us as having authority over the election, we’ve always been a big part of all the city’s elections but once again our poll workers, board members, county staff, everybody went far and beyond and it ran smoothly.  It was a decent turnout, you always wish it could be more, but it looks like a close race.” Brooks says the Board will review the elections results Thursday at 11am.  “The Board will meet at 11am on Thursday, canvass any outstanding ballots, which I think the clerk came in and said there were five and if they counted they will be added to the totals and official results will be announced immediately following that.” She said five provisional ballots could end up deciding who wins the fourth seat on council.  “That appears to be the only difference that the five, if they are all counted or if they aren’t, could make a difference in that fourth position.” Turnout for the Seneca Municipal Election was less than 15%.