Vote Recount Requested In Hillsborough Township Committee Election By Democrats

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Hillsborough Democrats filed an official request for a vote count in the 2022 General Election between Democrat Erynn Murray and Republican Robert Britting with the Superior Court in Somerville on Monday.

According to the final results certified by Somerset County Clerk Steve Peter last week, Murray is trailing Britting by 46 votes.

The vote tally is:

• Robert Britting - Republican* - 7,473
• Erynn Murray - Democrat - 7,427

"With the margin between the two candidates being 46 votes, or less than ½ of 1 percent, we decided it is prudent to proceed with a recount," stated Murray.

Britting was selected by the Hillsborough Township Committee in March 2022 to fill Steven Cohen's open seat after he resigned due to his ongoing battle with long-haul COVID-19. Read More: New Committeeman Selected To Fill Open Hillsborough Seat

He was running to continue filling the one unexpired term on the township committee against Murray.

The Hillsborough Democratic Organization referenced two specific items in their filing with the court:

1. A voting machine malfunction in district 23 "that caused confusion in the voting process"
2. A problem collecting data from the early voting machines

Additionally, the Hillsborough Dems claim there were a significant number of provisional ballots cast that needed to be hand counted.

"We want to make it clear; we are not in any way suggesting or implying any malfeasance in how the results, to this point, were determined. We only know that mistakes can be made. We want to eliminate that element of uncertainty," said Murray. "

The Superior Court will now have to decide on the motion. The timing of this is now up to the Court.

"This is a complicated process, and we sincerely appreciate the efforts of all those who worked to bring all the elements of it together," said Murray. "And once recounted we will respect the outcome."

The Hillsborough Republican Party said they are aware that the Democrats have asked for a recount.

"The Hillsborough Republican Party has full faith in the election process. We look forward to having Committeeman Bob Britting serve on the Township Committee for years to come," said Hillsborough Republican Chairman Ken Scherer

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