WORCESTER—In a race decided by a margin thinner than a filo pastry sheet, Worcester officials say every ballot in the Nov. 4 at-large city council contest is now prepped for this weekend’s full hand recount.
Deputy City Clerk Clare Robbins said Thursday night that all ballots slated for review have already been “blocked,” completing the pre-recount phase earlier than expected. As a result, a second blocking session will not be held Friday, and the Board of Election Commissioners has canceled its scheduled Friday meeting.
The hand recount begins Saturday, Nov. 22, at 8:30 a.m. at North High School. Robbins previously noted the work is conducted by both city staff and trained election workers and may continue into Sunday. Officials have been hoping to produce final results by the end of the weekend.
The recount comes after challenger Jermoh Kamara finished 23 votes behind incumbent Morris “Moe” Bergman—9,357 to 9,334—in the citywide at-large race. The Board of Election Commissioners certified Kamara’s recount petitions in all 10 wards earlier this week, triggering the city’s first full hand recount of a municipal race since 2011.
Members of the public and press may observe from outside the designated recount area without registering in advance.
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