The official final vote in the 100-member Senate was an oddity, 51 to 50.
He received 36,488 official votes and finished third out of four candidates on the ballot in that race.
But no official vote is gathered, and the process will continue.
Although absent from the official vote, Edwards had voted against the bill in previous versions.
Ballots of official votes are created and maintained by a Competition Manager or higher level staff member.
It was approved by MPs without an official vote, meaning the government did not have to act.
Russ Granik, the deputy commissioner, said an official vote on the rules changes would be taken in a few weeks.
Beneath the official vote lies a river of resentment among those who fear that the broader patterns in Britain will emerge here.
He won the February 1989 primary, defeating his nearest challenger 43% to 18% of the official vote.
This was not, however, an official vote of the Executive Board.