Monday's canvass of Kanawha County ballots cast during last week's primary election didn't change the results in any races, even those decided by slim margins.

After the canvass concluded Monday afternoon, county officials officially declared winners in each race. When challenged and provisional ballots were tallied, several margins of victory changed, but the winners stayed the same.

County commissioners will certify the results at their regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, said Commission President Kent Carper.

"This is the best canvass I've seen in the 12 years I've been here," Carper said. "It went very well."

Carper praised poll workers and members of County Clerk Vera McCormick's staff for Monday's smooth proceedings.

The top three finishers in the contest for county Board of Education shifted slightly, but the outcome was not affected. On election night, Jim Crawford and Robin Rector both finished with 12,321 votes. During the canvass, Crawford added 90 votes while Rector added 82. Incumbent Barbara Welch, who lost her seat, also added 82 votes, which left her 168 votes behind Rector and 176 behind Crawford.

In the Democratic race for House of Delegates in the 31st District, incumbent Carrie Webster gained 15 votes while challenger Meshea Poore gained 16, giving Webster 1,701 votes to Poore's 1,584.

For the final Republican spot in the House 30th District race, Edward R. Burgess kept his lead over Elijah E. Young. On election night, Burgess had 2,736 votes, 11 more than Young. After the canvass, Burgess' lead had lengthened to 17 votes - 2,758 to 2,741.

McCormick said a number of the challenged ballots were people who were registered with one political party but wrongly voted in the other's primary. She suspected some voters might have thought they could cross over because registered independents can vote in whichever primary they choose.

To contact staff writer Andrew Clevenger, use e-mail or call 348-1723.

Monday's canvass of Kanawha County ballots cast during last week's primary election didn't change the results in any races, even those decided by slim margins.

After the canvass concluded Monday afternoon, county officials officially declared winners in each race. When challenged and provisional ballots were tallied, several margins of victory changed, but the winners stayed the same.

County commissioners will certify the results at their regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, said Commission President Kent Carper.

"This is the best canvass I've seen in the 12 years I've been here," Carper said. "It went very well."

Carper praised poll workers and members of County Clerk Vera McCormick's staff for Monday's smooth proceedings.

The top three finishers in the contest for county Board of Education shifted slightly, but the outcome was not affected. On election night, Jim Crawford and Robin Rector both finished with 12,321 votes. During the canvass, Crawford added 90 votes while Rector added 82. Incumbent Barbara Welch, who lost her seat, also added 82 votes, which left her 168 votes behind Rector and 176 behind Crawford.

In the Democratic race for House of Delegates in the 31st District, incumbent Carrie Webster gained 15 votes while challenger Meshea Poore gained 16, giving Webster 1,701 votes to Poore's 1,584.

For the final Republican spot in the House 30th District race, Edward R. Burgess kept his lead over Elijah E. Young. On election night, Burgess had 2,736 votes, 11 more than Young. After the canvass, Burgess' lead had lengthened to 17 votes - 2,758 to 2,741.

McCormick said a number of the challenged ballots were people who were registered with one political party but wrongly voted in the other's primary. She suspected some voters might have thought they could cross over because registered independents can vote in whichever primary they choose.

To contact staff writer Andrew Clevenger, use e-mail or call 348-1723.