ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) – David Bowers is currently leading the race for Roanoke City Mayor and has unofficially declared victory.
The Virginia Department of Elections currently indicates he is leading over Joe Cobb with 11 votes, putting the race within the margin for a recount if it comes to that after provisional and absentee ballots have been counted.
The Roanoke City Registrar’s Office has reported there are still 1,223 provisional ballots to be counted and reviewed by the Electoral Board, as well as 526 absentee ballots, 118 of which are expected today from uniformed and overseas voters. Virginia state law states provisional and absentee ballots postmarked by November 5 and received by November 8 are still eligible to be counted.
Final results are expected sometime next week.
When asked during a press conference held outside Roanoke City Hall on Wednesday, November 6, David Bowers seemed to refuse to acknowledge the provisional ballots and the prospect that he could ultimately be defeated.
He deferred by saying that he stands by the results as they are now. When asked whether he would accept a flip in the results based on the provisional and absentee ballots, Bowers said he had been advised by legal counsel not to discuss anything relating to provisional/mail-in/absentee ballots or a potential recount. He would not specify what legal counsel referred to.
In addition to the election, Bowers said that if the results do hold and the newly elected city council provides the 4-3 majority vote needed, he would introduce a rezoning amendment to improve public safety, saying that “people that he speaks to are afraid to go downtown.”
He talked about the importance of having diversity of opinion back on council with the election of Republican Nick Hagen and that he is committed to making sure all citizens get the time needed to make their points and be heard in open council meetings.