One of the Lincoln County school board races hangs in thebalance today as a small margin of votes divides twocandidates.

In unofficial results, Johnny L. Hart defeated Jo Beth Thompsonfor the District Two school board position by 13 votes, but bothcandidates are nervously awaiting a recount, which Thompson planson requesting.

“I think it’s just too close, and there’s a lot of mix up,” saidThompson of Tuesday’s election.

The unofficial results showed Hart with 551 votes and Thompsonwith 538 votes.

Thompson voiced concerns Wednesday morning about the resultsafter several voters in her district told her they were not able tovote.

“I do know for a fact that there are people they would not letvote because they (poll workers) said they were not in the rightdistrict,” she said. “And some of those were husband and wife wholive in the same household.”

Thompson said she would be satisfied with the public’s decision,but just wants to make sure everyone had a fair chance to vote.

She plans on talking with election officials about the reportedproblems that seem to have started much earlier than Tuesday.

“It was a big mix up when I first qualified,” said Thompson.”They didn’t even have me in the right district.”

Hart was not opposed to a recount of the votes in order toassure the results were correct.

“I have no problem with it because it’s very close,” hesaid.

In another school board race, long-time incumbent Jerry Coondefeated Bryan Kyzar for the district one position.

Coon received 733 votes, which is about 58 percent, and Kyzarbrought in 510 votes, or around 40 percent, according to unofficialresults.

Coon has already served 20 years as a school board member and islooking forward to another six-year term.

“I just thank the good Lord and all my supporters for allowingme to serve again,” he said.

Coon’s reaction to his opponent receiving a high percentage ofvotes was that he hoped the community would still come together andsupport him as he makes decisions about the education system.

“I just hope the people who didn’t support me will work with meso we can improve our schools,” he said.

Another long-time incumbent who is eager to serve the peopleonce again is District Five Election Commissioner Lee Warren, whodefeated Robert O. Martin last night.

While surrounded by family members, Warren listened intently asthe unofficial results were read aloud last night, showing hereceived 1,545 votes, and Martin received 1,180 votes.

Warren, who has served in the position for four terms, wasgrateful for the support of the people in district five.

“I appreciate the people letting me serve 16 years already, andI’m glad to have another four years,” he said. “They’ve really beengood to me.”