Jefferson County officials look at provisional votes

The Republican mayoral primary in Steubenville is too close to call, with Ralph Petrella currently ahead of Kimberly Hahn by a mere 10 votes. The Jefferson County Board of Elections is set to review provisional and absentee ballots that were not included in the initial count. Out of 15 provisional votes, only 10 were valid from Steubenville residents, and one was issues-only, which will not affect the race. Additionally, of the 12 absentee ballots submitted after the polls closed, only one was valid from a Steubenville voter. This leaves a potential nine-vote swing that could narrow Petrella's lead to just one vote.

Petrella expressed excitement about his lead but acknowledged that the results remain unofficial until finalized. The board's announcement on Friday will confirm the outcome of this significant local election. Voter engagement and the close nature of the race highlight the importance of every ballot in local governance.