While provisional ballots won’t make a difference in the outcome of Troy or Goshen municipal elections, according to city managers, two races in Brundidge hang in the balance.

In District 1, Betty Baxter and incumbent Councilman Lawrence Bowden are tied at 81 votes each.

“It’s going to likely be decided with provisional ballots,” said Brundidge City Manager Britt Thomas, noting that there were 21 provisional ballots filled out in Brundidge Tuesday.

District 3 is another case where provisional ballots could make the difference as to whether or not a run-off is needed. Right now, Margaret Ross is in the lead with 81 votes, but she only garnered 48.5 percent of the votes cast. A candidate needs 50 percent plus one to be declared a winner. Anthony Foster is in second place with 38 votes and 22.75 percent of the votes cast.

Provisional ballots could put Ross over the top, though.

“If she had gotten three more votes, there wouldn’t have been a need for a run-off,” Thomas said.

Provisional ballots will not make a difference in the mayor’s race, though, Thomas said.

“If you add the number of provisional ballots [21] to Michael Foster’s total, Ramage still has the numbers,” he said.

There are several reasons provisional ballots can be cast. If a voter goes to the polls and an inspector can’t find their name on a voter list, the voter can still mark a provisional ballot. Someone can also mark a provisional ballot if his or her name appears as having already received an absentee ballot, according to Thomas.

Provisional ballots aren’t counted until a week after an election because the Board of Registrars must verify the vote isn’t a duplicate. Cases are turned over to the Pike County Sheriff’s Office if fraud is expected.

“We take a look at the paperwork and then make a recommendation to the city as to whether or not we think the vote is eligible to be counted,” said Board of Registrars Chair Melissa Ingram. “Ultimately it is up to the city.”

A city vote canvassing board then accepts or denies the vote and applies it to a candidate’s final tally.

“It will definitely make a difference with the Brundidge election,” Ingram said.

Thomas said the city’ vote canvassing board will provide notice to the public and then meet as soon as a decision is made by the Board of Registrars.