Unofficial election results show Sean Becker edging out his opponents to become Bozeman's next mayor.
With all of the precincts reporting at around 11 p.m. Tuesday, Becker had 4,591 votes. Bob Chase was trailing behind Becker with 2,532 votes. There were 252 write-in votes, but it is unclear how many of those belonged to Brian Leland who was running as a write-in candidate.
Election officials counted 10,701 ballots in Gallatin County. This accounts for 28.16 percent of total voters in the county, according to officials.
Bozeman residents also cast their votes for candidates for two open seats on Bozeman City Commission. At around 11 p.m. Tuesday, Chris Mehl was the top vote getter with 4,912 votes. Carson Taylor was in the second place slot with 4,253 votes, followed by Chris Budeski with 3,453 votes and Elias Harmon with 771 votes.
In Belgrade, the vote count remained close throughout the night for a $72,000 mill levy for the Belgrade Community Library, but preliminary numbers show the levy passing. Early numbers show 794 voting in favor of the levy and 696 voting against it. Library officials feared that if the levy did not pass, they may have to cut staff and hours.
Also in Belgrade, Russell Nelson who is running unopposed for mayor had received 1,196, according to preliminary numbers. There were 66 write-in votes.
In the city council race, in Ward 1 Connie Campbell had 596 votes, in Ward 2 incumbent Tudor Gee had 232 votes and in Ward 3 incumbent Brad Cooper had 316 votes.
In other races throughout the county, West Yellowstone saw city council incumbent J. Drew Barney edged out by newcomers Jerry Johnson and Brad Schmier in the race for three open council seats. Top vote getters in that race were newcomer Johnson with 232 votes, newcomer Schmier with 195 votes and incumbent Mary Phillips with 191 votes. Barney received 124 votes.
Votes were also counted for other cities in Gallatin County, including Three Forks, Big Sky and Manhattan.
Here's a look at the vote numbers from Bozeman, Belgrade, Three Forks, West Yellowstone, Big Sky and Manhattan:
Bozeman
Mayor
Sean Becker -- 4,591
Bob Chase -- 2,532
write-in votes -- 252
City Commissioner (2)
Elias Harmon -- 771
Chris Mehl -- 4,912
Carson Taylor -- 4,253
Chris Budeski -- 3,453
Write-in votes -- 123
Belgrade
Mayor
Russell Nelson -- 1,196
Write-in votes -- 66
City Council
Ward 1: Connie Campbell - 596
Ward 2: Tudor Gee (incumbent) - 232
Ward 3: Brad Cooper (incumbent) - 316
Library Mill Levy
Yes - 794
No - 696
Three Forks
Mayor
Gene Townsend (incumbent) - 397
Write-in votes -- 75
City Council
Victoria Kosevich -- 346
Dennis Nelson (incumbent) -- 412
Crystal Turner (incumbent) -- 379
Write-in votes -- 99
Firefighters Disability and Pension Fund Levy
Yes - 286
No - 240
West Yellowstone
Town Council (3)
J. Drew Barney (incumbent) -- 124
Jerry Johnson -- 232
Cynthia Knapp - 103
Bob Peppler -- 137
Mary Phillips (incumbent) -- 191
Brad Schmier -- 195
Write-in votes -- 10
Big Sky
Board of Directors (2)
Les Loble - 319
Write-in Candidates:
Dax Schieffer
Scott Johnson
Ginna Hermann
* There were 223 write-in votes counted in this race. The race was close between some of the candidates. Election officials plan to recount the numbers Wednesday and will release the winners after the recount is complete.
Water and Sewer District
Jeffrey Daniels (incumbent) - 234
William Shropshire (incumbent) -- 133
Elizabeth "Betsy" Shirley Weltner -- 166
Write-in votes -- 11
Manhattan
Mayor
Tony Haag (incumbent) - 258
Write-in votes -- 32
City Council (2)
Daniel Ryan (incumbent) -- 261
Write-in votes -- 57
* The person who receives the most write-in votes will win the second open council seat.
Bridger Pines County Water and Sewer District
$2 million, 20-year sewer system improvement bond
Yes - 32
No - 4
Votes are coming in and results are mere hours away in the 2009 Gallatin County elections.
Eight races will be decided in this year's local election, including Bozeman's mayoral and commission races. Click here to learn more about the candidates.
Polls will be open at the Gallatin County Courthouse until 8 p.m.
County Elections Administrator Charlotte Mills says voter numbers have started to pick up after a slow morning in the office. She hopes that trend continues.
"In years past, it's been a pretty steady flow all day. I just think people are waiting until the last minute to vote," Mills said.
Ballot counting began around 2 p.m. Tuesday. Counters are not allowed to leave until the polls close.
Mills expects to have most results by about 10 p.m.
As of late this afternoon, about 35 percent of total countywide ballots had been turned in, and 34 percent had been turned in for the city of Bozeman.
