Candidates seek recounts in four races

AUGUSTA – Four candidates for public office have submitted requests for recounts of ballots cast in their respective races on Tuesday, Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap said in a press release Friday.

Richard Burns of Berwick, the Democratic candidate in state Senate District 2, has requested a recount in the race against incumbent Sen. Richard Nass, R-Acton. Unofficial preliminary results indicate Nass won, 10,707 votes to 10,322 votes.

Incumbent Republican state Sen. Lois Snowe-Mello of Poland has requested a recount in the District 15 race against Democratic challenger Deborah Simpson of Auburn. Unofficial preliminary results indicate Simpson prevailed, 10,019 votes to 9,917 votes.

Incumbent Republican state Sen. Paula Benoit of Phippsburg has requested a recount in the District 19 race against Democratic challenger Seth Goodall of Richmond. Unofficial preliminary results indicate Goodall won, 11,158 votes to 11,041 votes.

Charleen Chase, the Democratic candidate in the race for county commissioner in Oxford County’s 1st District, has requested a recount in her contest with Steven Merrill, R-Norway. Unofficial preliminary results indicate Merrill prevailed with 5,376 votes to 5,351 votes.

“Requests for a recount are not at all uncommon,” Dunlap said in the release. “Candidates have 5 business days after Election Day to ask for ballots to be recounted, and I expect we may receive additional recount requests prior to the November 12 deadline.”

Recounts will be scheduled to begin with state Senate races. The first recounts will begin no sooner than Thursday, Nov. 13.