With the results of the election certified by Town Clerk Laura Gemme last week (pdf below), a recount on the Select Board race is imminent. There is a 5 vote difference between Carlo Bacci’s 2,392 votes and Melissa Lee Murphy’s 2,387 or a staggering 0.209%.
The last time an election was this close was ironically decided by 5 votes back in 2017 when John Halsey was elected over Kevin Sexton by the same margin.
Massachusetts does not have an automatic recount trigger like other states. In order to petition for a recount, any candidate may initiate it by petitioning the local election official in the city or town in which the recount is being requested. Only candidates for an office to be recounted may petition for a recount. Any registered voter of the city or town may petition for a recount of a ballot question though.
Melissa Murphy updated her Facebook page moments ago regarding her decision.
In terms of next steps for Reading, the petitioner would need to secure 10 signatures in each of the eight precincts. The last time a recount was held in Reading was in 2004.
Below are the official certified results for the April 4, 2023 Election.
