2 months ago
Folks in Wilkinson County won't know until Friday whether voters approved a one-cent sales tax for a new primary school.
On Tuesday, voters apparently rejected a proposed extension of the sales tax by a single vote. The count was 526 against the extension to 525 voted for it.
On Wednesday, however, elections superintendent Tracy Strange said county voters serving in the military could decide the outcome of Tuesday's referendum. She said 21 of the 26 military ballots mailed out haven't been returned.
She said military ballots arriving by Friday will be counted.
"Military has three days after the election for their's to come in, and they have until the last mail run on Friday," Strange said.
Meanwhile, school superintendent Aaron Geter expressed regrets over Tuesday's vote.
"I'm just very disappointed," Geter said. "I want to commend our board of education for taking the initative to move forward to try to find a way to fund a new primary elementary school for our students."
If results remain unfavorable after all military ballots are counted, Geter said he'll seek a recount.
"I think it would just be the proper thing to do, particularly with it being that close," Geter said. "I haven't talked to the person in charge of the voting. But I will today."
Strange said a recount can't be requested until results are certified Friday.
"Like I said, they have within two days after certification to get it to me," Strange said. "More than likely, it would be done immediately, so it will be one day next week."
Geter said he'll keep working for a new elementary school.
"We'll go back to the drawing board and look at everything to try to find a direction to move in that direction of building a new school," Geter said.
The superintendent said the Wilkinson County Board of Education was expected to discuss the referendum during a special meeting Wednesday night.
Under state law, Strange said the county can't ask for another vote on the sales tax until November 2010.
