Poll officials must complete counting Birmingham’s election results Wednesday after obtaining a court order to open results from three polling places after the memory cards containing results were accidentally placed in the sealed boxes with the paper ballots.
Those sealed paper ballot boxes cannot be opened without a court order. Birmingham City Clerk Lee Frazier said the sealed boxes would be opened, the SD cards retrieved and additional votes counted as soon as a court order is obtained from a judge.
Those three polling places were Martha Gaskins Elementary School (polling place for districts 1, 2 and 4), Robinson Elementary School (polling place for districts 2, 4 and 5) and Five Points West Public Library (polling place for districts 6 and 7).
The completed unofficial results will be available as soon as those votes are counted, which is expected to be Wednesday morning, Frazier said.
Below are the unofficial results available Tuesday night:
District 1:
Sherman Collins Jr. - 27.4% (633 votes)
Haki Jamaal Muhammad - 1.6% (38 votes)
Clinton Woods (I) - 70.8% (1,631 votes)
District 6:
Willine Body - 2%(49 votes)
Carlos Chaverst - 14% (348 votes)
Latanya Millhouse - 11% (264 votes)
Clarence Muhammad - 5% (126 votes)
Crystal Smitherman (I) - 51% (1,280 votes)
Onoyemi Williams - 15% (378 votes)
Keith O. Williams - 2% (41 votes)
District 7:
Wardine Towers Alexander (I) - 42% (1,103 votes)
Ray Brooks - 30% (779 votes)
Lonnie Franklin Malone - 28% (718 votes)
If one candidate does not win a majority in the council elections, a runoff election will be held on Nov. 19. Due to the issue with the sealed ballot boxes, it is unclear if there will be a runoff in the council elections.
Ad valorem tax results
Based on results available Tuesday night, it appears the ad valorem taxes benefiting Birmingham City Schools will be renewed.
Proposition 1:
For - 13,512
Against - 1,482
Proposition 2:
For - 13,487
Against - 1,489
Proposition 3:
For - 13,361
Against -1,613
“We are very pleased with the outcome of today’s special election. Birmingham City Schools is on an upward trajectory, and we are grateful for this vote of confidence from our community. We do not take for granted the importance of every vote. On behalf of over 22,000 scholars and nearly 3,000 employees, it is important for me, as Superintendent, and our school board to express our deepest appreciation for the outstanding majority vote for the continuation of funding. We remain committed to ongoing progress for our school system and community!” Birmingham City Schools Superintendent said in a Facebook post Tuesday night.
This is a developing story. This story will be updated as more information becomes available.