Dusting off my Recount Knowledge: with some assistance from Lowell’s Election Director, Will Rosenberry.

I remembered back in High School, 1977/1979 time frame, participating in a City Council recount. I’m pretty sure it involved Tom Casey.

With some verification from the Lowell Election Director, I present a short tutorial on a possible recount:

• You have 10 days after the election to request a recount
• Only candidates for an office to be recounted may petition for a recount
• Candidates who request a recount must specify on the petition form the office to be recounted – not the names of the candidates for that office. The form contains a statement that the signers have reason to believe the election records are erroneous and that a recount will affect the results of that election; however, the petitioner must also specify the particular reasons for the recount request. You have to watch your wording and be specific
• In communities voting by optical scanner ballot, petitioners who want a hand count of the ballots must state this on the form by checking the appropriate box. This one was new to me, because back when I participated, it was all hand counted.
• You need the signatures of 10 or more registered voters from the ward
• Either Finn or Juran has until Friday November 14^th at 5:00 pm. Then the Election Committee has to meet, approve and set a date at least 3 days after that meeting.
• Each candidate for the office in question or person representing each side of a ballot question is allowed to witness the recount, accompanied by one or more counsel if desired. Each candidate or representative may also be represented by agents. Up to one agent for each officer or clerk reading the ballots or recording the votes is allowed. These agents must be appointed by the candidate or counsel in writing and have the right, along with the candidate and counsel, to watch and inspect the ballots, tally sheets and all other papers used in the recount, and to watch every individual act performed in connection with the recount.
• The general public may also witness the recount, but cannot participate.

So, there’s a quick tutorial and I’m guessing that if Dan Finn requested a recount it would be for a hand count because that offers the biggest opportunity for change.

I also want to point out that be being the class act he is, Dan Finn going to Belinda’s party to congratulate her winning by the 4 votes Tuesday holds NO Legal standing and doesn’t prevent him (or anyone in that position) from requesting a recount.

I have no “Inside” information, but that never stops me from speculating, and I’m thinking that Dan Finn will not request a recount. I believe he has made peace with the results and doesn’t want to put his family and supporters through the process knowing that very few recounts change in favor of the person who request the recount.

From what I remember, it struck me then and now that I’ve been involved for 45+ years and it still seems a weird challenging someone’s vote, for whatever reason. Sure, sometimes someone marks or puts a dot on the other candidate’s oval, but it seems not right to me that I was there to potentially wipe out someone’s vote who took the time to actually show up, and now because my candidate didn’t win, I get to challenge your vote? Oops, you made a mark or went outside the line so I challenge your intentions?

It’s legal and allowed, but just one of those things that bugs me.

Election Winners: Sidney Liang, Sean McDonough, Belinda Juran, who all won a Council Seat. Congratulations to each of you.

Mayor Dan Rourke: who APPEARS to have 6 votes at least to continue as Mayor. His own, Kim Scott – Sokhary Chau – John Descoteaux – Rita Mercier – Sean McDonough (based on his comments during the WCAP interview), plus the opportunity to possibly get Corey Robinson’s and Belinda Juran’s vote. Corey has seen firsthand the Mayor’s connections with the Frontrunner City people and investors. No matter what, I’d be shocked if Erik Gitschier ever voted for anyone to be Mayor twice.

Vesna Nuon: worked Tirelessly going door to door throughout the city and once again topped the citywide election field, finishing first.

Dan Finn: who surprised many with his outstanding finish. Whether or not there is a recount, he’s proven he’s electable.

Sixto De Jesus: a first-time candidate who had a respectable showing in a Citywide run and beat both Erik Gitschier and Vesna Nuon in Ward 4, Precincts 1,2 and 3.

Marcos Candido: another first-time candidate who came within 39 votes of capturing a council seat. Whether those that voted for him understood his socialist ideology or not, he was a strong enough candidate to bring out 213 more voters than 2023.

Danielle McFadden: Easily the top vote getter for School Committee in her first ever political run. It only took two days to hear speculation that she would be the presumptive favorite to replace Rodney Elliott as State Rep when if he wins the Senate race.

Bob Hoey: he may not have won, and was telling people to vote for Daniel McFadden, but looks and feels great. He was enjoying himself working the crowds Tuesday.

State Rep. Rodney Elliott: He wasn’t on the ballot, but the social media post and goodwill generated bringing coffee/donuts to sign holders on election day was a boost for his Senate campaign. He got some great exposure.

Election Runner Ups: They didn’t get the seat or won’t get one they want.

Paul Ratha Yem and Wayne Jenness. They may not have been reelected, but both gentlemen have served their city well and were nothing but class when talking about their opponents’ win.

Vesna Nuon: He topped the ticket, but once again will fall short of becoming Mayor. Some can deny that Vesna has support certain candidates who he is friendly with against incumbents and has done so in the past few years. You really can’t expect those people who beat your “friends” to just shrug it off. Like dinosaurs, they don’t forget you supporting their opponents.

A couple other things:

SCREEN YOUR CALLS: Sean McDonough: Free Advice – Screen your calls! You may have won the seat, but you start off as the potential King Maker. Between Wednesday and Inauguration Day, the Vesna supporters from Vesna, Vanna, Tara Hong, Judith Durant and a host of others will be asking you to not support Mayor Rourke and to select Vesna. Elections have consequences and one of those is when you can decide who serves as Mayor, the pressure is on.

Senate Race Special Election could have negative result on Lowell Schools:

I have to ask, did any City Administration member or Elected City or State official suggest to the Senate that they move the Preliminary from Feb. 3^rd to maybe Feb 17th DURING February School Vacation? (I know they would never do that, especially since there is no early voting for Special Elections and turnout will be low no matter what).

Let’s be honest only, 8,484 of the 77,624 registered voters showed up to vote this past Tuesday (11%) and caused the 14,500 students to miss their 2^nd day of school because of the election, wasting valuable education time. What’s the turnout on a cold Tuesday in February for a primary going to be in Lowell, Dracut, Tyngsboro, Dunstable and Pepperell?

Now they are facing another two days off because of the Senate race. That’s four days BEFORE snow days. Add in five snow days and schools in Lowell could be going past June 21^st!!  So, when the UTL and others complain about the heat in late June, it’s the four election days off that will be largely responsible for the extended school year.

Would the SC and Superintendent of Schools maybe consider instead holding a half day of school during the February 3rd preliminary and March 3^rd general election, adding  some additional security via administrators /police presence in the ten affected schools so students and staff don’t miss two more days? Most schools would be out before Noon and I don’t see a parking issue for a Special Election.

BTW, the preliminary will have a very short mail-in voting window because I don’t believe they can set the timeframe before the new year. Since the election is in 2026 and there is no early voting in a special election, turnout will be horrendous!