Election recount narrows Stover’s win to one vote
BY MARY LANCASTER
Saturday morning’s special election recount tightened the selectman’s race between Catherine Stover and Patty Roggeveen to a near tie as Stover’s margin narrowed to a single vote. After seven ballots were challenged the end result was 805 votes for Stover, 804 for Roggeveen, a loss of two votes for David Gray for a total of 371 and the same 15 votes given posthumously to Arch McColl at the polls on Nov. 21.

Town Counsel Paul DeRensis looks on as Assistant Town Clerk James Grieder and Town Clerk Administrator Linda MacDonald tally the election recount last Saturday. In the end, Town Clerk Catherine Flanagan Stover maintained a one vote margin over Patty Roggeveen. Roggeveen called for the recount after she lost to Stover by just two votes at the Nov. 21 special election to fill a vacant selectman’s seat. She said she does not intend to challenge the recount outcome.

“People should be pleased that we all unite and follow the process and feel good that it’s been followed and move on from here,” said Leslie Johnson, one of the 40 counters participating.

The hour long count, which changed the total ballots from 2004 to 2007 with three write-ins and nine blanks, was officially recertified by voter registrars Monday, Dec. 18 at 8:30 a.m. The seven ballots set aside had filled in ovals at the bottom of the page next to the write in line but no names were given so they are considered blanks. Roggeveen, whose name on the voter sheet appeared just above that line, has the right to have those ballots reviewed for a decision in Superior Court, but said on Saturday that she did not plan further action. She requested the recount when the November tallies came in at 801 votes for her against 803 for Stover.

“It’s a small town. We are still a very caring community and that was evident by all the people who turned out to facilitate the process,” Stover said after the new numbers were announced. “I’m hoping we can just move on, and we look forward to the election in the spring.”

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