Richard HIrschfield may be able to run as both a Republican and Democrat to regain his seat on the Borough Council.
By: Linda Seida
NEW HOPE When can a Borough Council candidate run as both a Republican and a Democrat in the same election?
According to the Bucks County Board of Elections, New Hope Council President Richard Hirschfield can actually do that if a few scenarios play out in his favor.
First, Mr. Hirschfield, who tied for the third council seat in the Democratic municipal primary election last week, would need to win the tie-breaking lottery that will be held to resolve the Democratic primary results. And, since Mr. Hirschfield also may have won a spot on the GOP ticket, based on a still uncertified count of the write-in votes cast in the Republican primary, he could end up on the GOP ticket this fall as well if he survives a threatened legal challenge from one of the GOP candidates.
It would not be necessary for Mr. Hirschfield to choose one party over the other, according to a spokesman for the Board of Elections.
"Yes, he could conceivably be both a Democratic nominee and Republican nominee, on machine on one party and write-ins for the opposing party," the spokesman said.
If circumstances work out to Mr. Hirschfield’s advantage, would he agree to run on both tickets?
"Sure," he said.
If he is certified the winner of the GOP primary, based on the number of write-in votes he received, he would have until Aug. 11 to officially accept the Republican nomination, according to the Board of Elections spokesman.
Mr. Hirschfield was one of four Democratic candidates running in the primary last week for three slots in the November elections. He tied fellow Democrat Alan Rosenberg with 120 votes each, or 20.7 percent of the total votes each. Their tie will be broken by a lottery slated to be held either June 6 or three days after the votes are certified, whichever is later, the spokesman said.
According to a Pennsylvania law enacted in the 1930s, tied elections are resolved by casting lots. The winners roll a numbered ball or "pill" out of a brown leather-covered bottle. The pills are numbered 1 through 16, and the individual who draws the higher number wins.
Despite running on the Democratic ticket, Mr. Hirschfield also received about 80 write-in votes from Republicans. If the Board of Elections certifies those votes, Mr. Hirschfield would replace the Republican candidate who received the lowest number of votes in the GOP primary, Robert Gerenser.
Mr. Gerenser, a former borough councilman, received 46 votes, or 13.9 percent of the total votes.
The top two Republican winners were Claire E. Shaw with 144 votes, or a total of 43.6 percent of the total votes, and Michael McManus with 140 votes, or 42.4 percent of the total votes.
The top Democratic vote-getters were incumbent Councilwoman Geri Delevich with 170, or 29.2 percent, of the votes, and Rey Velasco, who received 171 votes, or 29.4 percent of the total votes.
Mr. Gerenser said he intends to file a challenge to the write-in votes cast for Mr. Hirschfield. He would not state the basis of the challenge, but he did say he has five days after the votes are certified to file any such challenge.
"Write-in votes are perfectly legal and acceptable, and they’re actually one of the finest ways to express a voter’s opinion," Mr. Gerenser said. "But I do think there were wrongs with the write-ins."
The Board of Elections was scheduled to begin certifying votes Friday, but a spokesman said he didn’t know when the certification would be finished. Write-ins take longer, he said.
Mr. Gerenser denied his challenge has anything to do with the often strained exchanges he and Mr. Hirschfield engage in during council meetings, which Mr. Gerenser frequently attends.
"I have nothing against the man personally," Mr. Gerenser said. "But I do object to his policies and the way he runs the government."
Mr. Hirschfield is taking the challenge in stride.
"I wish them luck," he said. "The election is over. The Board of Elections will make the decision. Whatever happens, happens. But I am confident they will not sustain any challenges."

