On election night, Republicans led in four of the seven Frederick County Council seats. But the counting of absentee ballots has flipped District 1. Right now, incumbent Democratic Councilmember Jerry Donald leads Republican Kevin Grubb by 209 votes.

This lead looks likely to hold up in the final count due to the disproportionate share of Democrats among absentee and provisional ballots. If it does, Democrats will gain unified control of Frederick County’s government, as Democratic County Executive Jan Gardner was reelected over Republican Del. Kathy Afzali.

This would make Frederick the third county council that Democrats flipped in this election along with Anne Arundel and Dorchester. Democrats also picked up county exec seats in Anne Arundel and Howard, bringing their total to six of the eight elected around the state.

The council seat gain brings the net number of county council or commission seats gained by Democrats to nine. The Republicans have lost just seven as two of the gains were new at-large seats in Prince George’s. Republicans still lead Democrats by 74 to 70 in seat totals thanks to their domination of Maryland’s smaller counties.

h/t to Walter Olson.