OCEAN CITY – Amie Vaules has withdrawn her civil action contesting the May 14 municipal election result in which her opponent for the Third Ward council seat, Jody Levchuk, was certified as the winner by just two votes.

Vaules’ withdrawal came one day before she was to appear before Superior Court Judge Michael Blee regarding her challenge.

In a press release, Vaules said she initially contested the result because of two mail-in ballots that were not included in the official count and that she believed supported her candidacy. She said she has since learned that the two ballots were received “after the legally permissible timeframe under New Jersey law.”

She also said that while she challenged the permanent address of Levchuk’s brother, claims that subpoenas were issued are false.

Vaules, whose candidacy was supported by Mayor Jay Gillian, used the release to congratulate Levchuk and “wish him well representing the taxpayers of the Third Ward.”

Levchuk was sworn in at the City Council’s reorganization meeting July 1.

Speaking at the swearing in, Levchuk set three main priorities for his term. He said Ocean City must remain a family resort, it must remain dry, and it must continue to be “wildly safe.” He also pledged better planning and zoning regulations to meet the challenge of overdevelopment, and added that the city had to address what he called the “parking challenge.”

Contact the reporter, Vince Conti, at vconti@cmcherald.com.