Bob O’Neill has until 4:30 p.m. today to file an appeal to see if his name will be on the fall general election ballot as a Republican candidate for county commissioner.

O’Neill of Cranberry Township has three fewer votes from the current runner up Kim Geyer of Adams Township. Only the top two candidates will appear on the fall ballot. Leslie Osche of Butler Township is in first place.

O’Neill currently has 4,285 votes, while Geyer has 4,288.

Following the May 19 primary, Geyer beat O’Neill for second place by two votes. However, there were 27 provisional ballots which had not been opened.

At a hearing in front of the county elections board last Tuesday, six ballots were opened. O’Neill received three votes and Geyer received two votes, leaving Geyer in the lead by only one vote. However, 13 ballots were disputed by attorneys for the candidates and the elections board.

At a hearing Friday, these disputed ballots were discussed. Two ballots were allowed, each giving the candidates an additional vote.

Later on Friday, the elections board held a closed-door meeting in which the attorneys for the two candidates were allowed to attend, and an additional two votes were added to Geyer’s tally.