After uncounted absentee and other ballots were tallied this morning by the Homer election canvass board, Kevin Hogan increased his narrow lead over Kent Haina and has won a seat on the Homer City Council. Council member Francie Roberts was re-elected Tuesday with a decisive 62 percent of the votes cast, but with only 23 votes separating Hogan and Haina, and 162 potential absentee, questioned and special needs votes to be cast, the election could have changed.

Two seats were up for election, with the top two vote recipients out of six candidates winning those seats. Candidates also had to get at least 40 percent to avoid a runoff.

Hogan picked up 65 more votes while Haina gained 47, widening Hogan's total lead to 41 votes. Roberts picked up 74 more votes.

"No" votes for a proposition asking voters to approve a 3-percent sales tax on groceries from September to May increased by 86 votes and "yes" votes increased by 54 votes.

For both Homer precincts, 1,134 out of 4,299 registered voters voted in the Oct. 6 city election, for a 27 percent turnout. The canvass board accepted and counted 147 votes on Friday. Most of those votes were early or absentee-voting in person votes. Some mailed absentee ballots were not received by the 10 a.m. Oct. 8 deadline, and 10 questioned ballots were not allowed.

The Homer City Council certifies the election at its Monday meeting. Roberts and Hogan will be sworn in at 7 p.m. Oct. 20 in a special meeting.

Michael Armstrong can be reached at michael.armstrong@homernews.com.

Final Results, City of Homer Regular Election

City Council candidates:

Francie Roberts 604 61 percent

Kevin Hogan 439 45 percent

Kent Haina 398 41 percent

Patrick Cashman 229 23 percent

Daniel R. Shannon 162 17 percent

Leonard Wells 102 10 percent

Write in 29 3 percent

Proposition 1, Should there be a 3 percent sales tax on nonprepared foods from September to May?

Yes 457 42 percent

No 631 58 percent