When the Oak Point City Council canvasses election results May 19, it will be calling a runoff for incumbent Leslie Maynard and her challenger, Colleen Cameron.

Both received 188 votes in Saturday’s election, tying for third place where six vied for three at-large spots on the City Council.

Incumbent Judith Camp slid to an easy victory, capturing 44 more votes than her nearest competitor. Coming into Saturday’s election with the second fewest votes, Jim Almond captured the second most votes at 195 and saved his seat with 7 votes to spare.

About 22.6 percent of Oak Point’s 1,702 registered voters cast ballots in the race.

City Secretary Tamara Null said she was gathering information the council would need to call the election, including checking on the availability of the county’s voting machines, verifying the 45-day window to call for a runoff vote — which is June 2 to July 15 — and finding out whether the city will be required to offer an early voting period, too.

Meanwhile, the candidates are analyzing Saturday’s outcome for future strategy. Cameron said Camp’s comments on election night missed the importance of the endorsement and the help provided by a specific-purpose committee.

“She got votes from both the people who voted an incumbent ticket and from the committee,” Cameron said. The Visionary Citizens of Oak Point endorsed Cameron, Camp and Stephen Shade, who received 185 votes, just three votes shy of the tie.

Cameron also noted that she was leading both Maynard and Almond after early voting and going into Saturday’s election. Cameron had 99 votes to Maynard’s 83 and Almond’s 78.

“I think Jim [Almond] and his supporters pulled it out for her,” Cameron said.

Maynard said she was prepared to win or lose, but a tie never occurred to her.

“I’m really kind of mystified how the city does things,” Maynard said, adding that she was disappointed how few people voted. “Maybe they’re happy with how the city is going and don’t bother to vote. Or maybe they are turned off by election time.”

Since she’s retired and has the time to do as she pleases, Maynard says she plans on campaigning door to door during the day.

“You’d think two years on the council was sufficient enough for people to notice,” Maynard said. “I’ll get out and meet people.”

T. Jervis Underwood, treasurer for the committee, said he couldn’t speak for the other members of Visionary Citizens of Oak Point or say whether they would continue to campaign for the runoff. But he said they would meet soon and decide.

Double Oak officials also declared a tie for third place in its at-large race Saturday. Six candidates and one write-in competed for three spots there on the Town Council. But Thomas Pidcock withdrew his candidacy, Town Secretary Charlotte Allen confirmed late Monday, leaving the slot for Tracy Miller.

PEGGY HEINKEL-WOLFE can be reached at 940-566-6881. Her e-mail address is pheinkel-wolfe@dentonrc.com