Christine Winters remains the winner of the Marion School Committee election after a ballot recount on May 28 that, although the recount changed the final numbers, did not change the outcome.
On May 16, the final tally was 480-479, with Winters beating Michelle Oullette by a single vote. Newcomer Kate Houdelette won by a significant margin, coming in first with 593 votes. Oullette petitioned for the recount on Monday, May 19.
The recount numbers changed, this time giving Winters a nine-vote lead over Oullette with a final count of 480-471.
The recount process did not start out smoothly, with the ballot count showing two missing ballots right from the start, resulting in a second count of all the ballots.
The process began at 11:00 am, and the counting concluded at 1:11 pm when the numbers were read and, despite one single ballot still unaccounted for, Winters was pronounced the winner and sworn in.
“The process has played out as we had hoped,” said Winters. “I look forward to serving the Town of Marion.”
“I’m pleased over all,” said Oullette. “I know there’s another role out there for me.”
By Jean Perry
