In the city council race four years ago, where three seats were at stake, Maurice Cox (D) received 2733 votes (28%), Meredith Richards (D) received 2625 votes (28%), Virginia Daugherty (D) received 2571 votes (26%), and Michael Crafaik received 1852 votes (19%).

The spread between the votes for Maurice Cox and Meredith Richards was 108 votes, between Meredith Richards and Virginia Daugherty was 54 votes, and between Virginia Daugherty and Michael Crafaik was 719 votes.

In that race a total of 4,179 out of 17,373 registered voters actually voted, or 24.05%.

In the city council race two years ago, where two seats were at stake, David Toscano (D) received 2589 votes (32%), Blake Caravati (D) received 2345 votes (29%), Michael Crafaik (R) received 1679 votes (20%), and James King (I) received 1539 votes (19%).

The spread between the votes for David Toscano and Blake Caravati was 244 votes, between Blake Caravati and Michael Crafaik was 666 votes, and between Michael Crafaik and James King was 140 votes.

In that race a total of 4,499 out of 19,914 registered voters actually voted, or 22.6%.

"In 1988, Democrat Tom Vandever beat Republican W. David Sheffield for a spot on the council by only 35 votes, or .02 percent."

"In 1984, the margin between third and forth place was even closer. That year, Republican Lindsay Barnes shocked the city by beating Democratic incumbent John Conover by 21 votes, or 0.1 percent, to win a four-year term" (Davide Dukcevich, The Daily Progress, April 30, 2000).

This year we had nine declared candidates, where three seats are at stake, and, as always, registered voters were given a blank slate. "

About 5,600 residents were expected to go to the polls Tuesday - a 30 percent turnout of registered voters, according to city registrar Sheri Iachetta" (Davide Dukcevich, The Daily Progress, April 30, 2000).

"In order to win at least one seat, Republicans will need support from the 2,768 city residents who voted in February's Virginia Republican primary. But divisions within party slates [regarding Meadowcreek Parkway] may result in voters disregarding political affiliation" (Davide Dukcevich, The Daily Progress, April 30, 2000).

Predictions about the city council race, including but not limited to the percentage of votes various candidates will receive, the spread of votes between candidates, the percentage of registered voters who will actually vote, or the average number of votes cast per voter in various precincts, may be sent to george@loper.org.

Predictions must be received before the polls close on May 2nd and will be posted on my web site following the election.

At the time the polls closed, predictions had been received by Paul Gaston, Blake Caravati, Kevin Lynch, and Pos Catsaros.