Charles Town council certifies municipal election results and honors outgoing mayor

The Charles Town City Council on May 30 read the official canvass of votes in the municipal election and approved a motion to certify the results by voice vote.

The presiding officer opened the meeting and noted two sets of minutes for approval before addressing the canvass. "These are the results of what we're gonna be certifying tonight," the presiding officer said, then read vote totals for mayor and each ward aloud.

According to the canvass read to the council, the mayoral totals were: Colburn 81 votes, George 317 votes and Burwell 173 votes. Ward results in the canvass as read were: Ward 1, Ricketts 391 votes; Ward 2, Hines 407 votes; Ward 3, Courtney Lehi 239 votes and Nate Hartman 325 votes; Ward 4, Leanna Chu 152 votes and Angie Stragu 357 votes.

A council member moved to certify the election and another member seconded; the presiding officer then asked for "all in favor" and the body responded with "aye." "The ayes have it. It is certified," the presiding officer said. The record does not identify which council member made the motion or who seconded it, and no roll-call tally of individual members' votes was provided in the transcript.

Earlier in the meeting the presiding officer explained that the council must allow at least 48 hours between the canvass and the formal certification of the vote; that timing requirement was given as the reason for the scheduling of the certification on May 30.

The meeting also included a ceremonial presentation: council members thanked and presented a commemorative gift to the outgoing mayor, and lighthearted remarks followed. Refreshments were announced to follow the meeting.

The presiding officer then invited the newly certified mayor (referred to in the canvass as "Mister George") to proceed and asked if there was any other business. No additional formal actions were recorded in the provided transcript excerpt.