One-vote margin in RTM race triggers recount

Written by Ken Borsuk, Staff Reporter
Thursday, 05 November 2009 20:32

Breaking news | Posted 8:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009

If you thought the Greenwich municipal election was over...think again because District 5’s race for the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) is headed for a recount.

Under state law, anytime there is a difference of less than one and a half percent between a vote winner and loser, an automatic recount is put into effect. In the case of District 5, there were 18 seats up for election and 22 candidates and only one vote separates Rosamund Brady, who was the 18th delegate elected from James Daine. Ms. Brady has 453 votes to Mr. Daine’s 452, a razor thin margin that will be up for review early next week.

According to Republican Registrar of Voters Fred DeCaro, the recount will take place Monday afternoon at 5:30 in the Cone Room at Town Hall. The voting machines will be first tested and then both the votes and the absentee ballots will all be hand recounted by experienced town voting poll workers. Mr. DeCaro said that Mr. Daine did not ask for the recount but he has given his approval for it. Candidates do have the option of declining a recount.

Mr. DeCaro added that not just Ms. Brady’s and Mr. Daine’s votes will be recounted, but all of the votes cast in District 5 for all the RTM candidates. The closest vote margin is between the two of them, with Randall Smith following Mr. Daine with 416 votes. Ironically, Mr. Smith was initially seated on the RTM in 2007 after a recount found that votes meant for him were mistakenly given to write-in candidates during the machine tally.

District 5 Chairman Mary Ferry told the Post that there was increased interest in the race this year due to a voters guide published by the Riverside Association featuring all the candidates and giving their views on positions facing the RTM. She said she would “hate” to see anyone lose by only one vote, but that she is certain the recount would be fair and make sure the right result is in place.

“I don’t see any problems,” Ms. Ferry said. “Whatever happens, happens.”

Mr. DeCaro said he and Democratic Registrar of Voters Sharon Vecchiola will be observing the recount process, which will also be open to members of the public if they wish to observe.

For more information, check next week’s Post.

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