2 newcomers win spots on East Lansing City Council; Third seat could hinge on just 2 votes

EAST LANSING — Two challengers, Jessy Gregg and Lisa Babcock, have been elected to East Lansing City Council. 

But the question of who will take a third open seat on the council could come down to just a handful of votes.

Mark Meadows and Erik Altmann were separated by only two votes, according to an unofficial tally with 100% of precincts reporting. 

Altmann said he is conceding the race in a text message sent to a reporter just before 11:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Meadows, a retired attorney and former state representative, netted 1,951 votes, according to the uncertified tally. Altmann, a psychology professor at Michigan State University, had 1,949 votes.

Results are unofficial until the county's Board of Canvassers certifies the numbers.

Gregg (2,944 votes) and Babcock (2,871 votes) appeared to have comfortable leads Tuesday night.

Gregg owns a local fabric store and has worked as a reporter for East Lansing Info, a nonprofit local news website. Babcock is an attorney who specializes in election law.

John Revitte, a retired professor of labor relations, was edged out of the race with 1,397 votes and Warren Stanfield III, a student at Michigan State University, came in last with 628 votes.

East Lansing elects council members citywide in a nonpartisan race. Newly-elected members will serve four-year terms.

East Lansing voters OK vacant land sale

Residents also voted Tuesday to let the city of East Lansing sell nearly 27 acres of vacant land. 

The city bought the property, located at the southwest corner of West and Coleman roads, in 2018 after it went into tax foreclosure. 

During the foreclosure, Clinton County paid East Lansing each year to make up for what would have been lost tax revenue to the city.

It's possible the city would have owed money to the county if the property's sale price at a county auction had been lower than anticipated.

East Lansing officials now hope the city can sell the land for more than what they paid at auction.

City of Leslie race was uncontested

Nearby, in the city of Leslie, incumbent Jean Wixson and newcomer Matt Johnson were elected to the Leslie City Council in an uncontested race.

Most Greater Lansing communities have banned recreational marijuana businesses

In divided vote, East Lansing City Council bans LGBT conversion therapy

Contact reporter Sarah Lehr at (517) 377-1056 or slehr@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahGLehr.

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