Noting that the 10-vote margin in a vote for New Canaan’s highest elected office does not meet the standard for a recount, officials said there will be no such ballot review following the July 18 Republican caucus.
The final tally sheet from the widely discussed July 18, 2017 Republican caucus. Credit: Michael Dinan
Incumbent First Selectman Rob Mallozzi, who lost to challenger and Town Council member Kevin Moynihan 612-602 at the caucus, had requested the recount two days later.
Yet, as Republican Town Committee Chairman Patrick Donovan cited in a response to the request, under the rules adopted by the Republican caucus, votes will be recounted “in the event that five (5) or fewer votes separate the top two candidates for any office.”
In the emailed response forwarded to NewCanaanite.com, Donovan also pointed out that the caucus is a temporary assembly of registered Republicans in New Canaan, while the Republican Town Committee itself is an entirely separate organization.
“The RTC, its officers and the Moderator of the Caucus do not have the power to overturn the rules that were adopted by the Caucus of New Canaan’s Republican Electors on July 18, 2017,” the response from Donovan said.
It continued: “The Caucus Rules were distributed to all candidates prior to the Caucus, posted and made available at the Caucus prior and during the Caucus. The Moderator pointed out the location of available copies of the Rules within the auditorium prior to their adoption by the Caucus. These Rules were followed throughout the Caucus proceedings.
“Those candidates who received the most votes were endorsed by the Caucus.
“The Moderator complied with all rules throughout the Caucus and consulted with the Rules Committee prior to announcing the Caucus results.
“The Moderator reiterated to the Caucus that a recount will only be done in the event of five or fewer votes separating the top two candidates for any office.
“The Moderator asked the Caucus if there were any questions or concerns about the process or ballots.
There were no objections at the time.
“The rulings of the Moderator and therefore the business of the Caucus are deemed final in accordance with the Caucus Rules.”
Mallozzi’s request for a review of Tuesday’s results came after what many described as a surprising vote in favor of Moynihan. Asked whether he would consider a run at a fourth term—for example, by seeking the Republican nomination again through a primary, or by filing as petitioning candidate for first selectman on November’s ballot—Mallozzi has said only that he is “considering all options.”