Three Baltimore County Council races remain undecided as mail-in ballots are counted

Three Baltimore County Council races are still undecided as candidates await the counting of mail-in ballots, WYPR reported.

Democratic candidates Shawn McIntosh, Arkia Wade, and Sharonda Dillard-Huffman are currently trailing Republican opponents in their respective districts but have not conceded, citing leads in the mail-in ballots counted so far.

If Republicans maintain their leads, the Baltimore County Council will have a narrow Democratic majority of 5-4. The council was expanded to nine seats with redrawn district lines, and Democrats had hoped to gain an additional seat amid a national blue wave.

The contested districts include District 5, which stretches from the Beltway to the Pennsylvania line; District 9 on the east side including Dundalk; and District 8, which includes Middle River. These areas have traditionally leaned Republican.

The mail-in ballot count is expected to continue through Thursday, with the Democratic candidates planning to observe the process at the Baltimore County Board of Elections.

The final makeup of the Baltimore County Council hinges on these remaining ballots, which could determine the balance of power for the upcoming term.