In a closely contested mayoral race, incumbent Edna Jackson is headed to a runoff with challenger Eddie Deloach.

While neither candidate was able to gather at least 51% of the vote, Jackson came out ahead, with 44% to Deloach's 42%. Murray Silver followed, taking 12% of the vote. Louis Wilson trailed, with just 2%.

High city crime rates were a major factor in this year's election, opening Mayor Jackson up to criticism by opponents, like Deloach.

The runoff to decide who will be Savannah’s next mayor will take place Dec. 1. Two city council seats, the race for District Two and for Alderman-at-Large Post 2, will also go to runoff elections that day.

Elsewhere, voters in Effingham and Glynn Counties have approved special sales taxes to fund education projects.

In Effingham County, the penny-per-dollar sales tax known as E-SPLOST earned 75% of the vote. It will collect up to $18 million.

The Savannah Morning News reports among other projects, those funds will pay for a new Rincon Elementary School and a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math - or STEM - academy at Effingham College and Career Academy.

Glynn County voters renewed the county’s one-percent education sales tax with 55% of the vote. One top priority for those funds is replacing two of the school system’s oldest elementary schools, the Brunswick News reports.

Tags: Savannah; Edna Jackson; ESPLOST; Effingham; Glynn