Long time state senator Dave Valesky was officially defeated as absentee ballots were counted in the 53rd State Senate Democratic primary.

The incumbent finished 606 votes behind Rachel May last Thursday.

Onondaga County officials say he didn't gain any votes in the absentee ballot process. Valesky's camp would not concede until all of the votes were counted.

Election officials say technology has made the process easier than in the past, but there are always surprises.

"You can't tell how the voter is going to do something different,” said Election Commissioner Dustin Czarny. “So, there are a lot of different variables out there, and sometimes the commissioners have to make a judgement call."

Valesky will still be on the ballot in November, on the Independence Party line. Republican Janet Burman is also running against the pair.