George Withus was the top vote-getter in a three-way race for a seat on Minot’s city council representing Ward 2. Withus tallied 175 votes to 155 for incumbent Bob Miller and 123 for Michael Carswell.

Vote totals are considered unofficial pending certification by a canvassing board.

A glitch in the voting process may or may not have effected voting in Ward 2 where there was an apparent question as to the voting boundaries. Some voters who believed they were voting in Ward 2 were given ballots for Ward 3. A clarification is expected to be made as early as today.

The incumbent Miller was first elected to city council in a special election in 2005 but subsequently lost his seat in a 2006 general election. Miller ran again in 2008 and 2012 and was elected both times.

Saying he wanted to finish “unfinished business,” Miller also voiced opposition to #Make Minot, a measure that received overwhelming approval by Minot voters in Tuesday’s election. During the days leading up to the election Miller said he preferred to see a series of public forums held to receive further input regarding the possible reduction in size of Minot’s city council form of government.

Withus, whose campaign advocated “change” ironically served as Ward 2 alderman from 2011 to 2014. He was originally appointed by council to a vacant seat in 2011 and then declined to run upon completion of his term in 2014. Following last night’s results Withus said he was looking forward to serving on council once again.

“Let’s put it this way. I hope to do a really good job for the City of Minot,” said Withus. “It might only be for a year but we can get a lot done in a year and I’m looking forward to serving the citizens of Minot.”

Withus was referring to the passage of the #Make Minot proposal that will result in a downsizing of the council in 2017. When asked why he won, Withus responded with the following:

“The results were pretty close,” said Withus. “I think what happened might have been that Carswell split the vote up a little bit. People at least had a choice, which is great. I love to see that. I think that’s the best part of the whole thing.”

Carswell was making his first run at public office. The retired Air Force master sergeant had said that a lack of availability by aldermen in Ward 2 was a concern.