Longtime District Four Election Commissioner Charles M. Smith,who lost by one vote in his bid for re-election last week, hasasked to review ballots in the close contest against apparentwinner Janie Sisco.

Sisco captured 1,580 votes to Smith’s 1,579 votes in Tuesday’sgeneral election.

Smith said he had no animosity toward anyone, but he had someconcerns about the handling of absentee and affidavit ballots inthe Johnson precinct. He said those ballots were place in anunlocked blue supply bag when they should have been put in theballot box.

Even if a recount gives him the victory, Smith indicated healthissues may prevent him from continuing as electioncommissioner.

“It’s a good possibility I would not accept it,” Smith said. “We’llsee when we get to that point.”

Smith has been election commissioner for 20 years. He said he hasenjoyed serving the people during that time, and he complimentedhis opponent.

“Janie Sisco is a fine woman,” Smith said.

A date for a ballot review has not been set.

“We’ll have to check on a day for them to examine the ballots,”said Lincoln County Circuit Clerk Terry Lynn Watkins.

Sisco said she anticipated no changes in the election’soutcome.

“I expect it to stay the same,” she said.