Barnstable Elections: Bloom Retains Precinct 9 Town Council Seat After Recount

BARNSTABLE, MA — Charles Bloom held on to his Precinct 9 Town Council victory over Michael Mecenas during a Tuesday recount.

In the November elections, Bloom initially defeated Mecenas by a mark of 100 to 99, but the thin margin prompted a recount.

According to Town Clerk Ann Quirk, there were 201 ballots cast during the election.

On election day, the clerk’s report from the precinct revealed a ballot jam. The ballot was removed and sent through a second time, which caused an additional ballot to be counted.

That means rather than the 100 to 99 margin, Bloom in fact defeated Mecenas by a mark of 100 to 98 with three ballots left blank.

Bloom was sworn in immediately after the recount on Tuesday, officials said.