Kittle Wins Final GOP Board Of Ed. Seat By 1 Vote: Recount

GREENWICH, CT — The recount for the final Republican seat on the Greenwich Board of Education is complete, and Cody Kittle has been declared the winner by the smallest of margins.

According to final results announced Friday afternoon by the Greenwich Registrar of Voters Office, Kittle received 8,357 votes, and Megan Galletta received 8,356 votes.

Three Republicans were vying for two spots. On election night, Michael-Joseph Mercanti-Anthony grabbed one of the seats with 9,276 votes to lead all candidates. His final tally stood at 9,306 following the recount.

The recount was triggered because Kittle and Galletta were separated by just 36 votes: Kittle originally had 8,336, and Galletta had 8,300.

Beginning Thursday morning at Greenwich Town Hall, about 20 volunteers began the tedious process of combing through 16,000 ballots and about 2,000 absentee ballots to check "voter intent."

The process was open to the public and it attracted some spectators on Thursday.

According to the Greenwich Time, an incident had occurred in which Galletta, who was in attendance watching the recount, disputed a ballot that she believed should have been counted in her favor. The Time reported that voices were raised, but no one was asked to leave Town Hall.

Police presence was requested to keep tempers in-check, and a Greenwich officer came to Town Hall.

Republican Registrar of Voters Fred DeCaro said Friday that Galletta can contest the results through the court system, but nothing else can be done through the election process or the Secretary of State.

"I've seen one vote differences and even tie votes in Representative Town Meeting districts, but never in a town-wide race," DeCaro said Friday afternoon.

In a statement to Patch, Kittle thanked the volunteers who helped over the past two days, especially Sharon Vecchiola, a former Democratic Registrar of Voters in Greenwich who was called in to help with the recount.

"I want to thank Sharon Vecchiola and all the recount workers for their thorough review the last two days under difficult circumstances," Kittle said. "I am glad the election is finally over and I am very excited to join the Board of Education. The real win will be when our new BOE can meaningfully improve our schools for all kids. I hope everyone remembers this election when they ponder if their vote actually matters."

Democrats Kathleen Stowe and Laura Kostin ran unchallenged for two seats. Their final vote totals were 8,364 and 8,095 respectively. Kara Philbin, a write-in candidate, finished with 1,883 votes.

Patch has reached out to Galletta for comment