WARREN - The results in the race for the third Warren City Council at-large spot remain the same following a halted recount Thursday.
Trumbull County Board of Elections workers began the recount in the race between James T. Valesky Jr. and Bill Kruppa. However, since Kruppa was absent, he was called and given the option to stop the proceeding. He agreed, said elections board Director Kelly Pallante.
Once a recount has been started, the person trailing has the ability to end it and accept the results, which Kruppa agreed to by phone, Pallante said.
Valesky also was absent. Both were informed of Thursday morning's recount by certified letter, Pallante said.
The official results show that only 19 votes separated Valesky, who received 2,411 votes to Kruppa's 2,392. A difference of 24 votes would have pushed the outcome outside the recount threshold of less than a half percent required for an automatic recount.
Winning the other two spots were top-vote getter Helen Rucker, 3,871, and Daniel J. Sferra, 3,339. Both are incumbents.