By Keith Gushard

Meadville Tribune

Democrat Betty Lou Williams apparently has withstood a write-in challenge for Crawford County jury commissioner.

With 66 of 67 precincts reporting, unofficial totals showed Williams had 4,728 votes while there were less than 300 write-in votes for the office.

However, write-in totals don’t reflect for whom the ballot was cast. Write-ins, absentee ballots and provisional ballots won’t be added into totals until official vote tabulations begin Friday.

Anne Furno, 75, the incumbent Democrat jury commissioner, ran a write-in campaign for the post after losing the Democratic Party’s nomination for a fourth term in the May 19 primary to Williams of Saegertown by 19 votes.

Furno of Meadville said she was encouraged to run a write-in campaign by friends.

Williams, 70, said it was an interesting race for her.

“It made me work,” Williams said. “I’m sure I can do a good job.”

Furno declined to concede Tuesday night.

“Not until they have the full vote,” Furno said.

Asked if she was holding out hope for a victory, Furno said “I would not say that.”

Democrats and Republicans each elect one jury commissioner.

Jury commissioners work part-time and are responsible for selecting prospective jurors for each scheduled term of Crawford County Court of Common Pleas — both civil and criminal. They are responsible for maintaining the integrity of the jury system.

The jury commissioners will be paid an annual salary of $9,890 in 2010. Prospective jurors randomly are selected from the tax rolls, registered voters and drivers age 18 and older.