Salem Ward 4 City Council Recount Set For Monday

SALEM, MA — The votes may all be in but the campaign is still not over for Lev McClain and Stephanie Rodriguez in the race to become Salem's next Ward 4 City Councilor.

At least when it comes to raising money for recount-related expenses.

Rodriguez petitioned the city for a recount after falling nine votes shy of McClain (818 to 809) in the election night tally and now both candidates are asking for donations so they can secure adequate legal resources for the recount that is set for Monday morning at 10 in the City Hall Annex with a public viewing area available.

"I have no hard feeling about it because I expect the process to confirm that the outcome was arrived at fairly and must stand," McClain said of the recount on his campaign page. "Still, there will be some time, effort and expense involved that I didn't anticipate. Most of my campaign donations were small amounts from generous friends and family, but a lawyer is going to cost a lot more than yard signs."

McClain further asked for the campaign donations to "help me protect the integrity of Salem's election and ensure the will of the voters is heard."

Rodriguez made a similar request for campaign donations from her supporters in advance of the recount.

"Overall everyone has been extremely helpful answering my questions and so far a smooth process," she posted on her campaign page. "I've hired an attorney who has experience with recounts and is familiar with Salem's municipal law."

The initial count on Nov. 2 showed Rodriguez just one vote shy of McClain with an 808 to 807 margin. That margin grew to nine after additional mail-in and dropbox votes were counted later in the night.

"It doesn't hurt," said Rodriguez, who has noted there were 89 "blank" votes recorded, which accounts for more than 5 percent of all voters casting ballots in the ward. "It was nine votes. I think that was definitely within the margin for error.

"It's just so that there's no question about it."

Two years ago, Salem Ward 6 City Councilor Megan Riccardi's one-vote victory withstood a recount — which was then challenged in court.

"I don't want it to be anything that divides us," Rodriguez said. "The voters deserve this. They're entitled to it."

Did you find this article useful? Invite a friend to subscribe to Patch.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)

More Patch Coverage: Salem City Council Ward 4 Candidate Will Petition For Recount

Salem Ward 4 City Council Candidate Considers Recount Request

Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll Re-Elected; Ward 4 Recount?