Laurel 2017 Election Results: 1 Incumbent Ousted, Votes Final

LAUREL, MD — With only 17 votes separating two candidates in Ward 1, the 2017 City of Laurel Election was one of the closest races in recent history. The Laurel Board of Election Supervisors met Wednesday night, to count the remaining absentee/provisional ballots and write-ins and finalize results.

Carl DeWalt has ousted incumbent Councilman Ed Ricks in Ward 1 by a vote of 467 for DeWalt and 451 for Ricks, according to a news release from the city. Incumbent council member Valerie Nicholas was the top vote-getter in Ward 1. She had 480 votes.

Ward 2 residents elected a new City Council member. Keith Sydnor was the top vote-getter in Ward 2. He had 454 votes. City Councilman Frederick Smalls was re-elected in Ward 2 with 382 votes. He outpaced challengers Thomas Matthews with 271 votes and Adrian Rousseau with 242 votes.

Councilman At-Large Mike Leszcz was re-elected with 806 votes. Jeffrey Mills received 627 votes in the At-Large race.

Patch's earlier post:

Kim Rau, the Clerk to the Board of Election Supervisors, said there are still 25 absentee ballots to count in Ward 1, along with 13 provisional ballots that are still having addresses verified. And in Ward 2, there are 2 absentee ballots, with 15 provisional ballots to be verified.

If you are unable to make it down to City Hall, you can watch via Laurel TV a number of ways:

· Via TV on Comcast at Channels 996 or 71 and on Verizon at Channel 12;

· Via Live Streaming on Laurel TV’s website, LaurelTV.org; and

· Via Live Streaming on Laurel TV’s YouTube Channel, LaurelTVOfficial

Here are the unofficial results, according to the City of Laurel. Winners are in bold; * denotes incumbent.

At-Large Council (vote for 1):

Michael R. Leszcz — 786 *

Jeffrey W. Mills — 623

Ward 1 (vote for 2):

Valerie M.A. Nicholas — 464 8

Carl DeWalt — 456

H. Edward Ricks — 439 *

Ward 2 (vote for 2):

Keith R. Sydnor — 452

Frederick Smalls — 381 *

Thomas Matthews — 270

Adrian Rousseau — 241

Patch File Photo