Vote Recount Reaffirms Mendham Township Committee Results

MENDHAM, NJ — An official recount of the votes for the Mendham Township Committee seat has been completed, and Lauren Spirig, a Democratic Township Committee candidate, remains one of two winners in the Nov. 8 election.

Spirig's initial victory was challenged by fellow candidate, Republican Deputy Mayor Tom Baio, who lost the election to Spirig by the narrow margin of two votes.

According to the final results certified by the Morris County Clerk, the official vote tally was:

• Spirig: 1,473
• Baio: 1,471
• Moreen: 1,532
• Slayne: 1,397

However, the recount Baio requested revealed that not only did Spirig retain her victory, but Baio also dropped another vote, according to Mendham Township Committeewoman Amalia Duarte.

In the recount, Spirig received 1,473 votes, while Baio received 1,470.

"During the recount, Tom dropped a vote from the Vote by Mail ballots, which were all manually reviewed and counted," Duarte said.

This year, election day suffered a few issues throughout Morris County. Several municipalities, including Mendham, experienced significant delays on Election Day as a result of new machines that were deployed to local precincts.

On the morning on Nov. 8, Mendham Township voters also reported problems within district one, citing an early morning issue at the Brookside firehouse polling location.

"We know of residents in Mendham Township who had to return to the polls after not being able to cast a ballot because they were placed in the wrong congressional district. It’s appalling that with so much time to prepare for an election, such basic, fundamental mistakes were made," Duarte said.

Recently, an official recount of the votes for the Mendham Borough Board of Education race was also requested, according to a legal petition from candidate Margery St. John and her attorney, Debra Tedesco.

"I am excited to welcome Committeewomen-elect Lauren Spirig and Tracey Moreen to the dais in 2023. They will bring a fresh perspective to the Township Committee as we work on behalf of residents. I also want to thank Tom Baio for his service to the community for the past three years," Duarte said.