Certification process to take place Monday for local elections; next steps discussed for Third Ward tie

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

After Tuesday's election, clerk's offices around the area released results, but at this point results are unofficial until the certification process is complete.

On Monday, a team of bipartisan election judges will look at any of the remaining ballots, including provisional ballots, and do a hand-count audit of the ballets for 5% of the polling places in each area.

In this election, that 5% will include three different polling locations in Boone County that will be randomly selected.

After that, the results will be considered complete.

Last week in the Columbia City Council Third Ward race, we saw a tie at 1,102 votes each for Karl Skala and Roy Lovelady.

If the certification process still shows a tie in the race, Boone County Clerk, Brianna Lennon, said the city will then have two choices.

"If after certification you're still tied, the State Statute says that the city can call a special election or if the candidates agree they can draw names out of hat," Lennon said.

Karl Skala told ABC 17 News on Tuesday that voters should, "be ready to get ready because obviously, this is a very close race."

ABC 17 News also tried reaching out to Roy Lovelady for comment, but he's declined comment at this time until he has further direction from the city.

Lennon says there is no time frame on when the certified results will come in tomorrow.

If a special election is held, the current officeholder, in this case Karl Skala, will continue to serve until the election happens.