It was a voting mix-up that could have swayed the election in Benwood. Now there are only a few days left for candidates to contest the results.

"Some of them may well have been taken to the wrong ward machine to vote," said Eric Gordon, the Benwood city attorney. "So therefore they would have voted for the wrong ward council person."

People from two different wards voted at Precinct 23. There were two separate machines set up so people from the different wards could vote for their candidates, but some people voted on the wrong machines, and ended voting for people who weren't in their ward.

"Its just an honest mistake," said Benwood Mayor Edward Kuca. "And anytime you have something new you got to work the bugs out."

But to make matters worse, only about 13 votes separated the two candidates running in the wards. Some people said had people voted on the correct machines, the election results may have been different, because quite a few people may have voted on the wrong machine.

"I've heard numbers ranging up to 30 some people, but I don't think anyone has a count of it," said Gordon.

But time is running out to contest the results. They were certified on May 17, and anyone who wants to contest the results has until May 27.

"If one of the candidates wanted to, all they would have to do is contact the secretary of state and the city. We would have to have new elections in that precinct," said Kuca.

John Paul, NEWS9