Close City Council Races Got Closer, But Results Unchanged After Official Count

Councilmen Joe Jones in Ward 1 and Basheer Jones in Ward 7 can rest a little easier: after official tallies by the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, their close electoral victories earlier this month have been confirmed.

Joe Jones defeated incumbent Terrell Pruitt in Ward 1 (Lee-Harvard). After election night, he was ahead by only nine votes. Once provisional ballots were counted, his lead was shaved to eight.

Basheer Jones unseated TJ Dow in Ward 7 (Hough). After election night, Jones' lead was a mere 19 votes. It was reduced to 13 after provisional ballots were counted.

Because both races were extremely close — within 0.5 percent — so votes will be recounted. But as it stands, the Joneses are in.

Via the Board of Elections:
Unofficial Results:
Ward 1:
Joe Jones . . . . . . . . . . 2,643 / 50.09%
Terrell H. Pruitt. . . . . . . . 2,634 / 49.91%

Ward 7:
TJ Dow . . . . . . . . . . . 1,514 / 49.69%
Basheer Jones . . . . . . . . . 1,533 / 50.31%

Official Results (after provisional ballots)
Ward 1:
Joe Jones . . . . . . . . . . 2,690 / 50.07%
Terrell H. Pruitt. . . . . . . . 2,682 / 49.93%

Ward 7:
TJ Dow . . . . . . . . . . . 1,586 / 49.80%
Basheer Jones . . . . . . . . . 1,599 50.20%