Table games supporters are calling Saturday’s election a victory, although it could be short lived.
Voters in Kanawha County passed the table games referendum by just 33 votes on Saturday. But with around 500 provisional ballots to be considered the number, and the outcome could change.
Still, proponents of table games celebrated Saturday at Tri-State Racetrack and Gaming Center after all 175 precincts were reported.
"Right now we’re 33 [votes] up, and we’re actually going to roll with that number right now. We’ve kept everybody on edge in the room," said Tri-State Spokeswoman Cathy Brackbill.
It was a back and forth election, with the lead changing sides several times before finally finishing at 22,544 yes votes, to 22,511 no votes. Around 75 to 100 supporters gathered at Tri-State racetrack to listen for results and celebrate when the final numbers were read.
Brackbill was among those supporters and says she and others at the track new it was going to be close.
"We anticipated it could be close, it could be as close as one vote, but we, the campaign team just looked at each other and said we did not know it would be to this point where we didn’t have a win or a loss, but we’re going to count it a win a right now," said Brackbill.
Tri-State Racetrack and Gaming Center Vice President Dan Adkins says he is in awe of the entire election process.
"I’m thrilled right now obviously, we knew it was going to be close, but god we didn’t know it was going to be this close," he said. "But the fact is this in an unprecedented election and people will be preparing every future election on any issue to this one, I can guarantee you that."
Adkins says he is confident the results will hold up after the provisional ballots are counted.
"The county is split right down the middle, so what that is the ball is in our court now, we prevailed, we won, when the provisionals are counted you’ll see that we’ve still won," he said.
Charleston Mayor Danny Jones has been a big supporter of bringing table games to Kanawha County.
"I hope the track prevails, but I’m excited and proud of the people of Kanawha County that came out and voted, and I’m proud of my home town cause I know Charleston went for this," said Jones.
Now table games proponents like Dan Adkins must wait a few days until Kanawha County’s canvassing board meets Friday morning to see if the numbers hold up.
"It’s an eternity no question about it, but I’m a busy guy I think I’ll be alright, but I will be back up here on the 17th standing in wait," said Adkins.