Ballot Snafu Could Force Clayton Runoff

A mix-up in ballots given to voters Tuesday morning at one polling place could force officials to hold a runoff election for one seat on Clayton Town Council.

About 20 voters who live outside town limits were mistakenly given Clayton ballots at the Clayton Middle School polling place, said Lee Ann Price, director of the Johnston County Board of Elections. The error was caught by about 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, and correct ballots were given to voters in that precinct for the remainder of the day, she said.

But the early votes by non-residents could have impacted the race for Clayton Town Council, Price said.

Incumbent Alex Harding won one seat on the council, but the second- and third-place finishers in the race, Art Holder and R.S. "Butch" Lawter Jr., were separated by only four votes.

Price said she has spoken to both Holder and Harding about the situation, but a decision on whether to hold a runoff election wouldn't be made until next Tuesday.