Absentee ballots for Ontario County Board of Supervisors District 3 representing Wards 5 and 6 in the City of Geneva have been counted and incumbent Gregory Bendzlowicz holds a one vote lead. 11 absentee ballots were counted this afternoon. All 11 were accepted and favored Bendzlowicz 6 to 5. After last Tuesday’s election, he was tied with challenger Tamarie Cataldo 184 to 184.
The former City of Geneva Police Detective was surprised by the tie and the low turnout in the race.
“This was nowhere near the turnout last time that I ran, so it was very surprising. I don’t know if that’s an indicator of anything or if there was just a lot of people who figured I wasn’t going to have a problem and didn’t bother to go out and vote. What this whole process does show is that it’s import to not only have support, but to get out and make sure that people get that vote out and they get to the polls and the do what has to be done.”
First-time candidate Cataldo was disappointed, but generally happy with her run.
“I feel really good. I feel like I changed the game and I got real close and it’s not the end of it.”
While no more ballots will be counted, the election is not yet certified official. Cataldo still has an option of challenging the result, but has not suggested she plans to do so.
A previous version of this story incorrectly identified the absentee ballot vote as 5 to 4 in favor of the incumbent.