In a tight race for the District 4 seat on the Vicksburg Warren School Board (VWSB), challenger Linda Muirhead Patterson edged incumbent Tawina Dotson by a mere 322 votes in the unofficial total from Warren County’s 23 precincts.

Patterson received 1,526, or 56% of the votes, while Dotson received 1,204 votes, or 44%.

Warren County Election Commission Chairman and District 4 Commissioner Sara Dionne said 174 affidavits and approximately 3,000 absentee ballots still need to be counted and estimates a final tally for the race will not become official until Thursday.

Dotson, who was appointed to the District 4 seat in 2023 to replace former Trustee Kimble Slaton, is looking to win election for the first time.

Patterson, who is also seeking a first term in office, said she is appreciative of all of the support.

“I would just like to say I really appreciate the people who came out and voted, especially in the inclement weather,” Patterson said. “It really means a lot to all of the candidates and all of the support that has been given to my opponent and myself. I really appreciate it.”

Dotson, who was present at the Warren County Courthouse while votes were tallied, said she will continue to advocate for VWSB no matter the final outcome of the race.

“If (Patterson) is the winner, then I will completely support her,” Dotson said. “I will always be a voice for our students, whether I am in the seat or not.”