Birmingham candidate Patrick Cooper continues to lead Google searches for "patrick cooper" just like he continues to pursue the mayor's office. Let's update the latter.

The day after the election, I wrote about Cooper alleging election day irregularities and pushing for a recount. "In a field of 10 candidates, according to the News, the winner drew 50% or 26,227 votes. Patrick Cooper pulled in 30% or 15,392 votes. Could 'irregularities' really have moved 20% of the vote?"

I heard quickly from a Birmingham couple who would have voted for Cooper had they received their ballots in time. This morning I received a second comment on the issue, this one coming anonymously.

The important thing here, Evanston Cooper, is that the mayors race in Birmingham would be forced into a runoff if the opponent, Larry Langford, recieved exactly 50%, without one vote over. He recieved 170 votes over 50%, and with 45,000 votes being cast, that's pretty close. So yes, it is a close race to achieve a runoff situation, and voting irregularities and provisional ballots could, and may still, change that. Just an explanation…

Checking the Web today, that comment appeared correct. "Voting officials finished counting provisional ballots last night," NBC 13 said, preparing for a noon handover. "The certification could determine whether there will be a runoff between Larry Langford and Patrick Cooper. The number of provisional ballots has been sealed so we don't know at this point whether there are enough to force a runoff."

At this hour, there's no strong word yet on that count. Al.com has a front page headline saying only nine ballots have joined the official tally, but the link goes nowhere. Meanwhile, the Birmingham Business Journal says Patrick Cooper is holding a press conference tomorrow. The nature of the event is unknown.

Previously:
-October 10: Patrick Cooper loses election bid, probably
-October 1: Patrick Cooper, the candidate

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