by Robin Kemp
Incumbent Mayor Angelyne Butler is the unofficial winner in the mayoral runoff with former councilman Tommy Smith.
According to unofficial numbers, the count was Butler 442, Smith 346–a difference of 96 votes. In the three-way primary with Delores Gunn, Butler and Smith were separated by five votes.
Only 788 voters turned out Tuesday in this city of about 20,000 residents, 15,902 of whom were registered voters in November 2020, according to state SOVR records. That represents a turnout of 4.95 percent for the runoff. About 5.8 percent of Forest Park voters had cast ballots in the primary.
The votes were reported as follows:
ABSENTEE BALLOTS
Butler 19
Smith 8
EARLY VOTING
Butler 148
Smith 152
ELECTION DAY
Butler 275
Smith 186
More to come.
