Absentees to Decide Fancher/Weiss Winner

By Timothy Knight

Absentee ballots will decide the closest race in Schoharie County this year.

The four-way Town Council race in Conesville has one definitive winner and loser, but the margin between two other candidates is too close to call with outstanding absentee ballots yet to be counted.

Incumbent Republican Town Councilman Robert Proudman, Sr. cruised to re-election on Tuesday evening with 153 votes (35.2%), while Democratic challenger Kimmarie Uhalde placed fourth with only 70 votes (16.1%).

However, the other incumbent GOP Town Councilman Carl Fancher received only 111 votes (25.5%) as opposed to the 100 votes (23.0%)earned by Democratic newcomer Erica Weiss. There was only one write in vote.

According to the Schoharie County Board of Elections, 21 Conesville residents requested absentee ballots this year. As of Election Day, 13 of those ballots have been returned to the Board of Elections.

With Mr. Fancher’s lead falling within the margin of absentee ballots that have yet to be counted, the race will be finalized when the Schoharie County Board of Elections counts absentees in two weeks.

Additionally, as per New York State Elections law, any of the 8 absentee ballots that have not been received yet can be accepted up to next Tuesday so long as they were postmarked by Election Day itself.

Federice Re-Elected. The remainder of Conesville’s races on Tuesday night were uncompetitive.

Incumbent Republican Town Supervisor Bill Federice was re-elected with 198 votes. Republican newcomer Carrie Sutton was elected as Town Clerk with 224 votes. Incumbent GOP Town Highway Superintendent David Porter was re-elected with 205 votes. Incumbent GOP Tax Collector Diane Williams won another term with 209 votes.