Elma City Council incumbent David Blackett has a sturdy lead over his challenger following a preliminary ballot count on election night.

Blackett earned 262 votes (63.13 percent) while challenger Elroy Papke garnered 153 votes (36.87 percent).

Blackett is finishing his second term in office. He was first elected in 2009 and was re-elected in 2013. He has served as mayor pro tem for several years.

Papke made an unsuccessful bid for mayor in 2015. Papke was third in that primary election and was not on general elections ballots.

Running uncontested were Pat Miller for Elma Council Position 1 and Tom Boling for Elma Council Position 3. Both are incumbents.

Another ballot count is scheduled for Nov. 8. The election will be certified on Nov. 28.