In the race for Binghamton Mayor, the two final candidates both see the top seat at City Hall in sight.

Action News Reporter Julianne Sweeney tells us why both Matt Ryan and Rich David believe absentees will fall in their favor.

"I was surprised, very surprised at how close it was." said Adrianne Whitecloud of Binghamton.

61 votes separate Incumbent Mayor Matt Ryan and Republican Rich David.

"We're at essentially at tie right now. It's going to be decided by absentees." said David.

The outcome of election night put Democrat Matt Ryan in the lead...for now.
"I knew it would be close because we've has to make some of the tough, hard decisions to keep our city on the right track." said Ryan.

It will be at least a week before Binghamton knows who will lead City Hall for the next 4 years.

The candidates supporters have their bets.

"I actually expected Matt to win by a bigger margin." said Tom Haines of Binghamton.

David believes some Democrats crossed party lines and voted on the Republican ticket.

"I think the majority of the residents of this city made their voices known loud and clear that they disagree with this administration." said David.

Ryan is hoping for a win to finish the work he started during his first term.

"It's been a real honor and privilege to serve as Mayor, and I'm hoping to get another 4 years." said Ryan.

But for now, the candidates say they have to let the election process work itself out.

"I think it just shows that more people need to get out there to vote." said Whitecloud.

Both Ryan and David say they would not rule out calling for a full recount of the close vote.

Independent candidate Douglas Walter Drazen returned more than 2-thousand votes.

He came in a closed second when he ran in 2005.

Again, the absentee and affidavit vote count from this years election will be done on November 12th.