LISBON - There are still some uncounted ballots cast in Tuesday's election that could alter the outcome of close races, depending on how they fall.

Adam Booth, deputy director of the Columbiana County Board of Elections, said they still have about 275 provisional ballots that have yet to be counted. These are ballots cast election day but called into question over voter residency and registration issues. By law, these ballots are set aside election night and cannot be counted until the questions are resolved by board staff.

Booth also pointed out they could still receive additional absentee ballots cast by early voters if they are postmarked prior to Nov. 3 and received by Nov. 13.

There are also 51 absentee ballots that were submitted but remained uncounted because the envelopes failed to contain the required voter identification information. Booth said these 51 will be sent letters giving them 10 days to come in and provide the information needed for the ballots to be counted.

Once this is done, the provisional and remaining absentee ballots will be counted along with the other absentee ballots and the regular votes cast on election day to arrive at the official final results.

"That's why everything on election night is unofficial," Booth said.

There are several close races where the outcomes could be affected once these provisional and uncounted absentee ballots are added to the mix. They are:

Salem Council At Large: In the race for the final at large seat, Joseph Radin Jr. leads Randy Colian 1,408 to 1,403.

Madison Township Trustees: In the race for the final trustee seat, Gary Williams leads John Barrett 395 to 386.

Beaver Local School Board: In the race for the final board seat, Lance Shultz leads Thomas Wolfe 1,029 to 1,024.

Leetonia School Board: In the race for the final board seat, John Rydarowicz leads Danny Ferry 696 to 690.

Whether any of these races qualify for an automatic recount will be determined by the official count, if the margin of defeat is found to be less than one half of 1 percent. A complicated formula is then employed to make the determination, based on the number of positions being elected and candidates.

"If the official results are close enough on these races that could trigger a recount," Booth said.

The official count is expected to occur sometime the week of Nov. 16, with the elections board to meet Nov. 19 or Nov. 20 to certify the results.

tgiambroni@mojonews.com