Recount Completed: Grattan Confirmed as Election Winner by Four Votes

The recount for Burlington's Board of Selectmen race is complete and Daniel Grattan has been confirmed as the election winner.

The for by candidate Michael Runyan, who, in the results of the April 9 election, came out five votes behind Grattan. The initial had Runyan losing to Daniel Grattan by five votes, 1,075 to 1,070. Candidate Virginia Mooney cornered 213 votes.

Grattan was sworn onto the Board of Selectmen on April 11 and has since served on the board for two meetings.

Today's recount did not change the outcome of the election and changed the final tally very little. According to Town Clerk Amy Warfield, one vote from Precinct 3 that was originally was counted as a blank became a vote for Runyan. The final tally now has Grattan with 1,075 and Runyan with 1,071. Mooney's vote count did not change.

Following the recount, Runyan said the fact the vote tally changed by only a single ballot showed how well the election process works in Burlington.

"The results didn't change much, the fact that there was only a one vote difference says a lot about the counting process," he said."I'd also like to thank everyone who worked on the recount today, it was very orderly and professional."

Runyan said he wanted to recognize everyone who worked on his campaign and everyone who serves the town.

"I'm proud of my family and my campaign staff," he said. "I'm proud of my service to the community, especially on the fire department and I'm proud of all the men and women who work for this town."

Runyan added he would stay involved with town politics and issues but would not say definitively if he would run again next year.

"I will be active next April but I'm not sure in what capacity," he said. "I know there will be two seats up but I haven't decided if I'm going to run. I will continue to be active and do what I've been doing for the last 30 years."

Grattan also said he wanted to recognize the town's election process in light of how close the initial count and recount were to each other.

"First I want to thank the town clerk and the Board of Registrars and everyone who worked the polls and the recount," he said. "I'm glad to see the original count held up, not just because it means I won but it shows how well the process works."

Though he was confident before the recount, Grattan said he is glad to have the recount completed and the result confirmed.

"I'm glad this is behind me," he said. "Even though I've already been sworn in, it's nice to feel fully engaged now."

Finally, Grattan thanked his competitors in the election.

"I want to thank both Virginia and Mike for a good and clean campaign," he said. "I think all three candidates deserve recognition."