Crucial Chester Vote Count Begins

West Chester, Pa. - November 27, 2006 -- The process of counting the final ballots in a race that could determine control of the Pennsylvania House began in West Chester Monday.

The Chester County Board of Elections began counting military and overseas ballots, just some of the hundreds of ballots still left to be tallied in the 156th District state house race.

Republican Shannon Royer ended election night with a 19-vote lead over Democrat Barbara McIlvaine Smith.

If Royer can hold on to his slim lead, Republicans will maintain control of the state house. But if the counting gives the lead to Smith, Democrats will take over control of the house by a single vote.

Final results are not expected until the middle of the week at the earliest, but the loser could take a challenge all the way to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

In the other closely-contested Chester County house race, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported Tuesday that Republican Duane Miller defeated Democrat Ann Crowley by 144 votes in the 167th District.

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