The 32-vote margin of apparent victory for lawyer Jeffrey L. Everhart remains in flux in the Henrico County Republican primary for commonwealth’s attorney.
Henrico Registrar Mark J. Coakley said Wednesday that 31 ballots cast Tuesday in Henrico were sealed as provisional because of possible errors, including incorrect addresses or names.
Not all 31 ballots are likely to apply to Everhart’s race, which he appears to have won over Tony H. Pham by 32 votes. Some portion of the provisional votes could have been cast in the prosecutor’s race or in other contests in the county for state Senate or House seats. But with a possibility of a recount, any closing of the gap could be significant.
Coakley said the provisional ballots are being checked and some word should be available Friday about their legitimacy and to what extent Everhart’s race is affected.
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Poll workers were canvassing votes countywide Wednesday to certify the election results, which in Everhart’s case appeared to show him winning with 7,309 votes compared with Pham’s 7,277 and Shannon Dillon’s 3,377.
The slim margin is within the threshold that allows Pham, as the apparent loser, to request a recount. The primary will establish who will run in November against incumbent Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor, a Democrat.
Pham, who witnessed part of the canvass Wednesday, said he is waiting for a completion of the canvassing process before making any comments regarding a challenge.
“Right now I’m trying to put back on the 15 pounds I lost trying to win the race,” he said, adding that election day was a thrill for him win or lose.
“It was my 14th anniversary of being married to my wonderful wife,” he said. “It was a great day for me.”
Everhart said he is looking forward to the race in November.
State law allowed voters Tuesday to participate in only one party’s primary. That provision could have affected voters in some eastern areas of the county who wanted to vote in the Democratic primary for House District 74 but also in the Republican primary for commonwealth’s attorney.
The first step, however, is the canvass of the vote, which began Wednesday morning. The canvass will certify the voting totals.