New Canaan RTC Turns Down First Selectman Mallozzi's Call For Caucus Recount: Update

This story was updated at 3:07 p.m. on Friday, July 21, 2017, to add the decision of the New Canaan Republican Town Committee concerning a vote recount:

NEW CANAAN, CT — The Republican Town Committee has turned down New Canaan First Selectman Rob Mallozzi III's request for a recount following his 10-vote defeat to Kevin Moynihan for the party's endorsement in this fall's election.

New Canaan RTC Chair Patrick Donovan issued the following statement in denying Mallozzi's request:

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.

It is important to note and understand that the Caucus of New Canaan’s Republican Electors is a different entity than the New Canaan Republican Town Committee. It was a temporary assembly of New Canaan Republicans. It is not an election.

New Canaan’s Republican Electors gathered in a meeting on July 18, 2017, nominated and elected a permanent Chairman-Moderator, Secretary, appointed a Rules Committee, adopted Rules and voted to determine who their endorsed Republican candidates will be for the upcoming municipal elections in November.

The rules voted on and adopted by the Caucus, state that votes will be recounted “In the event that five (5) or fewer votes separate the top two candidates for any office…”

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.

Original story: NEW CANAAN, CT — With the vote margin only being 10 votes, incumbent New Canaan First Selectman Rob Mallozzi III Thursday called for the New Canaan Republican Town Committee to recount the votes from Tuesday night's nominating caucus.

Mallozzi, who was seeking a fourth term, was defeated by Town Councilman Kevin Moynihan, a retired corporate attorney and 36-year New Canaan resident, 612 to 602.

"I submitted an email request of the Moderator and RTC Chair for a recount of the ballots / results and a complete review of the books and information including spoiled ballots, names of who voted, amount of ballots handed out etc," wrote Mallozzi in a text to members of the press. "I have asked Judge Russell Kimes and Former [Town Council] member E. Roger Williams to be present and observe this recount effort."

Three people sought the Republican nomination to run for First Selectman, Mallozzi, Moynihan and Cristina Aguirre-Ross, who received 60 votes.

Under party rules, recounts are automatically triggered when the difference in vote tally is five or fewer. The status of Mallozzi's request was not immediately known.

As to whether this request would indicate he may continue to pursue the office despite losing the Republican party's endorsement, Mallozzi told Patch that he has no comment about what he may or may not do in the future.

"I have no comment on future plans but did feel it very important to ask for a full review of the Caucus results due to the very small margin of votes between the 2 top candidates," wrote Mallozzi in an email to Patch.

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