Though the gap narrowed by one vote in a recount in Waldoboro June 17, Katie Winchenbach’s victory over Bob Butler in the race for one of the town’s select board seats was confirmed, according to results shared by acting Town Clerk Eileen Dondlinger.
The results of the recount were substantially the same as originally reported: 398 votes for Abden Simmons, 359 votes for Winchenbach, 353 votes for Butler, and 268 votes for incumbent Ted Wooster.
Winchenbach and Wooster each lost one vote via the recount. According to Dondlinger, four or five ballots where people had voted for three selectmen had to be counted as blanks.
The recount went smoothly, starting at 9 a.m. and wrapping up around noon, Dondlinger said.
Winchenbach said she was pleased with the outcome.
“It was something that had to be done, because I understand it was only a 7 vote difference, so I knew the candidate needed to do this in order for him to see the system works,” Winchenbach said. “It was educational for me as well. I’ve never gone through a recount before. To witness something like this was good.”
“I congratulate Abden Simmons and Katie Winchenbach on their successes and wish them both well as they shoulder new responsibilities for the Town of Waldoboro,” Butler said in a Letter to the Editor.
“Of course I wanted to win a seat on the board, but it was not be. I came up just a bit short, and I’m responsible for that. Perhaps, had I spoken to just seven more voters prior to election day… I regret disappointing those who voted for me, but I do appreciate their confidence in me,” Butler said. “I regard the closeness of the vote as a positive signal that Waldoboro is ready for change and will take on the challenges that entails.
