Clinton County Election Official Count Underway

LOCK HAVEN — With the outcome of two close races hanging in the balance, the official canvass of votes began this morning in Clinton County’s Garden Building.

County voter registrar Maria Boileau was part of the recount team charged with compiling the official count from Tuesday’s primary election. She was joined by county chief clerk Paula Kistler, assistant county treasurer Kristy Brooks and Kathy Merrill from the county assessment office. They began their work at 9 a.m. after a swearing in administered by Linda Weaver from the county prothonotary’s office.

Boileau declined to speculate on how long the canvass would take but the county calendar has set aside today and Tuesday if needed. She said the recount results will be posted online once the canvass is completed. “therecord-online” will carry the results as soon as received.

Contests under review include two close races from the Tuesday unofficial returns: One of them Mayor of Lock Haven, three candidates seeking to replace Rick Vilello who recently resigned to join the Gov. Tom Wolf administration. Democratic council member Bill Baney edged fellow council member Steve Stevenson for that party’s nomination, this according to the election night tally of 218 for Baney and 210 for Stevenson. The winner will oppose councilman Rick Conklin who was unopposed on the Republican ballot.

And the Region Eight Keystone Central school board race saw longtime board president Jack Peters lose his bid for another term in office. Lock Haven University technical specialist Boise Miller and former district administrator Jeff Johnston tied for the Democratic nomination and Johnston easily took the GOP nod. The Democratic nomination winner will be dependent on the absentee ballot count.