Race separated by three votes
By: Scott Morgan
CHESTERFIELD In an Election Day characterized by soaring victories and few surprises, the race for a lone Township Committee seat is still in limbo and could come to a recount.
Incumbent Republican Larry Durr, who is currently serving as mayor, and Democratic challenger Robert Rupinski are still waiting for the final tally in a race that, as of Wednesday, was separated by three votes. As of Wednesday, Mr. Durr is credited with 559 votes, including eight absentee ballots; Mr. Rupinski, including nine absentee ballots in his favor, has 556.
The X-factor in this race is the provisional ballots. Unlike absentee ballots, which account for township residents who are away from home, provisional ballots represent votes by former township residents who have not updated their voter information or by new township residents who did not get fully registered in time.
While officials say they do not know the number of provisional ballots waiting to be counted, Mr. Rupinski suggested there could be as many as 28 to consider. Those ballots are now in the hands of Burlington County Superintendent of Elections Joanne Nyikita. Officials said the results could be in by the end of this week.
For Mr. Durr, however the race turns out is OK. He said in a Wednesday interview that he is proud of his 15 years on the Township Committee and proud of his campaign and that whatever happens happens.
Mr. Rupinski said that if he ultimately loses, he would likely ask for a recount of the provisional ballots to ensure that every qualified voter who filed one got a vote.

