Is levy Failure Certain? 44 Votes Still Need to Be Counted

In an incredibly close race, the Westlake School Levy failed by a total of 47 votes after Tuesday’s night race. Voters cast 3096 “yes” votes and 3049 votes against the levy for a total of 6145 votes.

But that’s not the entire story.

According to Cuyahoga County Board of Election website, there are 44 provisional ballots that still need to be counted.

Media relations representative Mike West said provisional ballots are not counted for 10 days and the results will not be certified before then.

West said there is also a possibility that Westlake ballots in the mail that were mailed on or before Monday that are getting to the board after yesterday's election need to be counted.

That total could result in a recount.

By law, a vote total difference of less than ½ of 1 percent triggers automatic recount. 

In this instance, including provisional ballots, a total of 6189 votes will be counted. One half of 1 percent would be a 30 vote differential will be needed for a recount, meaning at least 31 of the provisional ballots would need to be cast in favor of the levy to trigger a recount.

Should the Board of Elections certify all 6145 as accurate and all 44 provisional votes are cast in favor of the levy, it would still fail by 3 votes.