Although a recount will be conducted to declare an official winner of the third and final City Council seat, Catherine Parker appears to have defeated Rafael Elias-Linero after absentee and affadavit ballots were opened and counted November 21.

Although a recount will be conducted to declare an official winner of the third and final City Council seat, Catherine Parker appears to have defeated Rafael Elias-Linero after the absentee and affadavit ballots were opened and counted November 21.

Ms. Parker and Mr. Elias-Linero had been tied at 1,529 votes apiece, but the incumbent took a four-vote advantage (32-28) over the challenger once the additional ballots were recorded. If the result stands up, Ms. Parker, an Independent who ran on the Democratic ticket, will join Republicans Joe Sack and Laura Brett as winners of the 2011 City Council election.

A recanvas of the voting machine totals is scheduled for next week.

“We will await resolution of all counts and recounts before knowing the final count of this close election for City Council,” said Rod Brown, Rye Democratic Party Chairman. “It certainly affirms the truth that every vote counts.”