Salem Sets Date For Vote Recount In Single-Vote Decision

SALEM, MA — Salem's board of registrars will oversee a recount in the Ward 6 City Council race on Monday beginning at 10 a.m. in Salem City Hall. Jerry Ryan petitioned for the recount after losing to Meg Riccardi 611-610 in the Nov. 5 election.

Massachusetts law requires the board of registrars to give at least three days, written notice to candidates after a recount petition has been certified. The ballots are counted by hand with the candidates and their representatives on hand to observe the recount. If a ballot is in question, the board of registrars will vote on whether its valid. The public and the press are allowed to be in the room where the recount takes place to witness the proceedings.

Previously on Patch: In Salem's Ward 6 City Council Race, Every Vote Counted

"Obviously, any election that ends in a 1-vote margin with more than 1200 votes cast warrants a recount," Ryan said after the loss. "(I)t is reasonable to question whether every vote was in fact counted. That, combined with the razor-thin margin, makes a recount the only realistic option, in fairness to both candidates, all Ward 6 residents and the electoral process in general."

It's not the first time Ryan has been through a recount. In 2007, when he was first elected to Salem City Council, preliminary results showed him winning the race by 23 votes. That tally increased to 29 votes after the recount. Ryan has serve on city council for five terms, both as the Ward 4 councilor and as an at-large councilor.

Riccardi was preparing for a recount. A day after the election she asked supporters in a Facebook post for donations to help pay for the cost of defending against a recount.