CARTERET COUNTY, N.C. (WITN) - The phrase “every vote counts” definitely comes into play for Morehead City’s mayoral race, where the election came down to a single vote.

Candidate Lee Stiles received 762 votes, while the incumbent mayor, Jerry Jones, received 761 votes.

Jones filed an election protest with the Carteret County Board of Elections during the canvass meeting on Friday, after voters contacted him on the day of voting and afterwards.

“I started getting calls from people that they were denied their rights to vote, their constitutional right to vote,” Jones said. “They said they were told they do not live in Morehead City.”

Jones has been the mayor of Morehead City since 1999. He says that his decision to file an election protest and request a recount is motivated by his desir

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