WORCESTER—The Worcester Board of Election Commissioners meets Tuesday, Nov. 18, to review recount petitions filed by at-large city council candidate Jermoh Kamara, who finished 23 votes behind incumbent Morris “Moe” Bergman in the Nov. 4 election.
According to the city’s meeting notice, commissioners are meeting at 5 p.m. in the Levi Lincoln Chamber at City Hall. The agenda includes certifying Kamara’s hand recount petitions for Wards 1 through 10 and reviewing a communication from the city clerk’s office outlining recount rules and the order of events.
Kamara submitted petitions after the unofficial results showed Bergman in sixth place with 9,357 votes, followed by Kamara with 9,334. Her statement on the official petition reads: “With 26,126 ballots cast citywide the unofficial results currently show a margin of just 23 votes in the at-large race. Given that extremely narrow difference it warrants a recount to ensure every vote is accurately counted and voters voices are heard.”
If certified, the process proceeds with the blocking of ballots beginning Thursday, Nov. 20 at 1 p.m., continuing Friday, Nov. 21 at 8:30 a.m. The hand recount is scheduled to begin Saturday, Nov. 22 at 8:30 a.m. at North High School and continue into Sunday if necessary.
Worcester is preparing for a recount in our at-large city council race, and there has been a lot of discussion about the cost to the city,” Mayor Joe Petty posted on social media. “Under state law, a candidate is fully entitled to request a recount. That right exists to protect the integrity of the process, not to benefit any one individual.”
The right to a recount is fundamental, and it applies equally to everyone on the ballot. This is an example of democracy in action.
The commission meeting is being held in person, with remote participation available by Zoom or phone. Written comments or requests for interpretation services must be submitted in advance, the notice said. Email the commission at elections@worcesterma.gov.
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