Austin’s Mayor Race: Uncertainty Surrounds Election Results with Provisional Ballots Still Pending

Austin’s Mayor Race: What’s Taking So Long?

Hey there, Austin! It seems like the buzz around the recent mayoral elections just won’t quiet down. We’re now a week past the election, and folks are still left wondering who will officially lead the city. The incumbent mayor, Kirk Watson, is sitting tight at about 50.01% of the votes. But hold onto your hats, because we might not yet know the full outcome! Why? Because a bunch of ballots are still floating around, and they could potentially throw everything into a tailspin.

What’s Up with the Ballots?

So, here’s the deal: there are a few different types of ballots that are still outstanding. We’re talking about late mail-in ballots, those tricky provisional ballots, and even some overseas and military mail-in ballots. Watson, bless his heart, needs to get over that 50% mark to be declared the outright winner. If he doesn’t, it could mean a runoff with Carmen Llanes Pulido, who’s currently in second place.

When Will We Know More?

Now, if you’re chomping at the bit for the final results, you might have to hang in there just a bit longer! According to election law, the results are supposed to be posted no later than November 19th. KXAN reached out to both Travis County and Williamson County clerk’s offices, trying to figure out when we can expect their canvass to finalize the results.

Canvassing Explained

But wait, what’s a canvass anyway? Great question! A canvass is a post-election process where officials make sure that all valid ballots are counted accurately. This includes checking provisional ballots, resolving any marking errors, and confirming that the number of ballots matches up with how many folks actually voted. Think of it as a thorough check-up after the election.

The Waiting Game

In Travis County alone, there are about 3,200 provisional ballots still waiting to be reviewed! That’s a whole lot of ballots! And if that’s not enough, there are also tons of mail ballots that went out, but hadn’t been returned yet when officials checked last week. With deadlines hanging over them, it’s anyone’s guess how many of those will pop back in time.

And just to keep things interesting, Williamson and Hays County might have some late ballots too, although they aren’t expected to have as many as Travis County. So, all in all, we’re still in a bit of a holding pattern. It’s like waiting to see if the cake is baked yet—lots of anticipation but no final slice just yet!

Stay Tuned!

We’re riding this rollercoaster alongside you, Austin. With so many ballots still to account for, the result could sway in different directions. Will Watson pull off a victory without a runoff or will Pulido be stepping up to challenge him? One thing’s for sure, the excitement in this city is palpable!

So grab your popcorn, keep your ears tuned, and let’s see how this all unfolds in the next few days. Remember, democracy is a team sport, and every single vote counts! Until next time, fellow Austinites!