By Cindy Schroeder
The Cincinnati Enquirer

NEWPORT - With a 46-vote margin, they're going to do the math again in a race that appears to have ousted a member of the Campbell County Guidugli family.

The vote totals for Campbell County property valuation administrator - decided by 46 votes out of more than 21,000 cast in that race on Tuesday - will be re-tallied on Nov. 14 at the request of the loser.

Incumbent Mariann Guidugli Dunn requested the recanvass Wednesday after unofficial results showed that challenger Daniel K. Braun had received 10,740 votes to her 10,694.

Ms. Dunn could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

A recanvass is not the same as a recount. In a recanvass, county clerks review the absentee votes and check the printouts from the voting machines to make sure that they're added correctly, said Campbell County Clerk Jack Snodgrass.

Unlike a recanvass, which is done at the county's expense, a recount is a more elaborate procedure that must be paid for by the candidate. A recount must be requested from a circuit court judge, who can order measures, such as checking to make sure vote totals match the numbers of signatures from voters, or checking whether every voter who voted was qualified.

Mr. Snodgrass said that candidates have often sought a recanvass during his 13 years in office, but it has yet to change the outcome of a Campbell County race.

In accordance with state law, Ms. Dunn's recanvass will be done at 9 a.m. on Nov. 14. Kentucky candidates have until 4 p.m. Tuesday to request a recanvass.

Dayton mayor queries

In another controversy, Dayton Mayor Ron Gunning, who lost by 26 votes Tuesday, has asked the Campbell County Board of Elections to investigate possible irregularities involving a voting machine at the Masonic temple in his city.

"I filed a petition with the elections board (Wednesday) asking them to check one particular voting machine," Mr. Gunning said. "I've heard complaints from about 10 people that when they voted for Dayton council and mayor, their votes were not properly recorded.''

"If the machine malfunctioned, I don't think it would make a difference in my race, but it might on the council race," Mr. Gunning said. "(Dayton council member) Donnie Seifert lost by three votes."

Mr. Gunning was appointed mayor two years ago when Bobby Crittendon was forced to resign, amid allegations he interfered in police affairs and used city equipment for personal gain.

Unless Mr. Gunning requests a recount and secures a court order to require that the voting machine or machines in question be opened, state law requires that Campbell County's voting machines remain locked for 30 days, Mr. Snodgrass said.

In response to an Election Day complaint, a technician was sent to a Highland Heights precinct, after a voter complained that some of the buttons didn't work on a voting machine, Mr. Snodgrass said. The technician determined that the voter was not pushing the buttons properly.

Write-in winners

In Northern Kentucky's smallest cities, where one vote can make the difference between victory and defeat, write-in tallies decided more than a dozen races Wednesday.

Write-in votes had the most impact in Campbell County, where 11 races were decided.

In California, Ky., a Campbell County town of less than 100, Franklin D. Smith was re-elected mayor when 12 votes were cast for him. California City Commission candidates elected by write-ins were Emma Jean Neises, James T. Sparks Jr., Casey Holt and Larry P. Hiller Sr.

In Woodlawn (population 268), Jason E. Moore, Jerry Maringer and Leneda Hawn were elected to city commission.

In the race for Highland Heights City Council, William R. Leopold received 43 write-in votes, but that didn't get him into the running for one of six city council seats. With 59 write-in votes, Steve Thacker lost in his write-in bid for Cold Spring City Council, and Ronnie James Walton lost his bid for Melbourne City Commission with 42 write-in votes.

Also in Campbell County, David J. Gearding was elected mayor of Mentor, with 26 votes. The four-member city commission will be made up of Rick Dunn, Kevin J. Nelson, Gary M. Sheffel Sr. and Larry Strasinger.

In Silver Grove, write-in candidates Scott McCarter and Paul Edward Dennis will join ballot candidates Dan Gindele, Dennis Bass, Karen Cotcamp and Mel Crowder on city council.

Melbourne's new mayor will be Helen Lutz, who was elected with 58 write-in votes.

Diane B. Hatfield also won an unexpired term on the Southgate school board with 54 write-in votes.

In Newport, former Mayor Johnny "TV" Peluso lost his bid for a City Commission seat when he received 114 write-in votes, or nearly 900 votes less than the lowest finisher elected. An old-style political boss who once did time for pressuring city employees to misuse public money, Mr. Peluso had his voting rights restored by Gov. Paul Patton.

Also losing write-in bids for Newport City Commission were Lewis Hayden and Joseph Stallkamp.

In Kenton County, Mindy Trimpe and Joe Fricke were elected to two-year terms on Kenton Vale City Commission.

They join Marsha Patrick and Ruth Coleman, who were on the ballot.

Also elected by write-in votes Tuesday was Rick T. Ernst, who earned one of three seats up for election on the Erlanger-Elsmere school board.

John J. Heist was one of three members elected to the Kenton County Conservation District. He will join Marc Hult and Michele Kline, who were on the ballot.

E-mail cschroeder@enquirer.com