Several Baltimore City Council elections are still awaiting resolution, with questions arising over discrepancies in reported results. Candidates in District 8, 11, and 12 are among those awaiting final outcomes.

Candidates Await Results

• Paris Gray and Bilal Ali, running in District 8, were present at the Board of Elections warehouse in West Baltimore.
• In District 11, incumbent Eric Costello holds a narrow lead over newcomer Zac Blanchard.
• Jermaine Jones leads incumbent Robert Stokes in District 12.

Seeking Clarity Amidst Discrepancies

Jones expressed concerns over the handling of Election Day results, emphasizing the importance of understanding the process to maintain trust in the electoral system.

State Board of Elections Investigation

Following a post-election audit, discrepancies were discovered between unofficial election night reporting totals and certified internal reporting. The State Board of Elections identified an overreport of 590 votes, attributing it to human error.

Director’s Response

Director Armstead Jones of the Baltimore City Board of Elections questioned the clarity of the explanation provided by the state regarding the discrepancies. He emphasized the need for further clarification before accepting the conclusions.

Root Cause Investigation

The State Administrator of Elections stated that they are investigating the root cause of the discrepancies and will provide information promptly.

Past Incidents

In 2022, missing flash drives in Baltimore City caused delays in accessing votes from 12 precincts. Although the data was transferred to new flash drives, concerns over election integrity persist.

Assurance of Leadership

Director Jones defended his leadership, citing past successful elections under his tenure and downplaying concerns about his ability to manage elections effectively.

Pending Canvassing

Approximately 6,000 provisional ballots and 8,700 mail-in ballots are yet to be canvassed, with certification of election results expected by May 24.

For more updates, follow Political Reporter Mikenzie Frost on X and Facebook. Send tips to [email protected].

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