By CHRIS FROST
Eagle Times News Editor
CLAREMONT, NH — The election recount between Ward 3 Councilor Jonathan Stone and Jonathan Hayden did not produce any changes, as Hayden prevailed 247-241 on Tuesday, Nov. 14.
The votes cast were divided into three tables, with councilors reviewing the ballots and checking for undervotes (no one chosen), with observers standing watch to ensure no inconsistencies.
The final total also included 15 undervotes.
Hayden feels relieved the vote count stood.
“This went great, smoothly and clean,” said Hayden. “I would expect a recount to happen with an election that close.”
He feels good about taking his seat on the council and looks forward to the training process from the New Hampshire Municipal Association.
“Every job requires training,” Hayden said. “I look forward to being a voice for my Ward and Claremont and hearing what the community wants to do. Because I am a community farm, during the entire election, people would come and tell me what they wanted and what problems there are. I have access to that openness and forum. Once I get trained up, I’ll be able to work with the other councilors and create solutions.”
He said the list of problems he’s heard about is endless.
“Between Pleasant Street, parking and taxes, it runs the gamut,” Hayden said. “Everyone has a different focus on what they believe and what their top priorities are.”
Stone said the city validated that their voting machines are accurate.
“I feel very secure about voting in the City of Claremont once again,” said Stone. “This is a really good process to go through, and I am happy to see the results were deadlocked on. At least, now we know how secure our voting is.”
Brian Zutter, who is on the ballot himself in a run for assistant mayor, observed the votes as they were separated into piles for Stone, Hayden and the undervotes. Hayden asked him to be an observer.
“I watch that process and ask questions if I saw anything,” said Zutter. “I didn’t see anything at my table. I also watched them count the piles.”
He felt good about the results.
“The machines work, and we can have confidence in the machines,” he said. “The voting process does work.”
Mayor Dale Girard was part of the count and was pleased about the vote accuracy.
“It’s perfect to show that our voting machines work exactly the way we’d hoped they would,” said Girard. “It’s always a good process to double-check everything, but the fact that we were exactly perfect was good news for everybody.”
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