Spencer much closer to a win

Mayoral candidate Robert Spencer is much closer to a win in Pinckneyville today.

As of last week, there were 27 outstanding absentee ballots that had not been returned to the office of County Clerk Josh Gross. By Monday, only six ballots had arrived from across the county postmarked April 6 or before. Those will be counted on April 21 at 11 a.m. in the basement conference room of the Perry County Government building.

All others have either not been voted and returned or were returned with a postmark on or after the April 7 election. They won't count.

In order for Pinckneyville City Clerk Fran Thomas to win, all six ballots would have to come from Pinckneyville precincts and be in her favor to overcome Spencer's five-vote lead in the election. That is unlikely.

The county clerk's office is expecting a "discovery recount" where two precincts would be recounted at minimal cost. Thomas would have to pay for an entire recount of the city, which would be expensive.

Spencer is quoted as saying that he respects Thomas a great deal and, should he win, would like for her to remain as city clerk in Pinckneyville.