Mell Clings To Two-Vote Edge, Runoff Less Likely In 33rd Ward
(CBS) -- Newly counted absentee ballots have put Ald. Deb Mell just two votes over the total she needs to avoid an April runoff in the 33rd Ward.
The city's election board spokesman Jim Allen on Friday said Mell needed more than 50 percent to avoid a runoff. So far, she has 50.03 percent.
She needed 4,035 ballots, and has 4,037, according to the latest tally.
Allen says it isn't over. There are still absentee and provisional ballots to be counted with the final tally to be announced March 11 or 12.
Challenger Tim Meegan had 2,754 votes, or 34.13 percent of votes cast earlier this week; Anyssa Wanat had 1,278 votes for 15.84 percent, the city election office said.
Mell is the daughter of former Chicago Ald. Dick Mell, and the sister-in-law of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.