In a day filled with election results big and small, there's nothing that screams "your vote does matter" like the close races.

In Alexandria, with more than 21,000 votes cast, Republican incumbent Mary Franson holds a one vote lead over DFL-er Bob Cunniff. The final tallies from the Secretary of State's office for the House District 8B race: Franson: 10,652 Cunniff: 10,651 There were 19 write in candidates. The Echo Press has the story. Near Austin, a couple of small-town mayor races are also nail biters. In Brownsdale, incumbent Mayor David Pike had a one-vote lead over challenger Jeff Foster (130-129). In Mapleview, four votes separated incumbent Mayor Arnie Johnson from his challenger Larry Naatz (51-47). Read the Austin Daily Herald's coverage here. ________________________ News tip? Email us at DatelineMN@startribune.com Follow us on Twitter: @DatelineMN