County election board certifies Larsen victory
By: Stephanie Brown
JAMESBURG Darren Larsen was declared the winner Tuesday of the third open seat on the Jamesburg Board of Education.
Mr. Larsen was one of two write-in candidates, along with Ted J. Somers, seeking the seat on April 18. Incumbents Anne Toth and James Eldridge were the only names officially on the Jamesburg ballot and easily won re-election.
A four-member, bipartisan group of election commissioners reviewed write-in votes cast because there was some question as to the intent of Jamesburg voters.
Last Tuesday night, Mr. Somers appeared to have won the election, 31-25. However, there were questions surrounding nine votes.
Ted J. Somers and Ted Somers received 17 votes and 14 votes, respectively. One vote was cast for a Jon Somers that the county board determined was meant for Mr. Somers. That gave him a total of 32 votes.
Mr. Larsen received 25 votes cast for Darren Larsen. The board also counted three votes cast for Larson, two votes cast for Larsen and one vote each for Lason, Dan Larrsen and Darre Lawson.
Jamesburg Superintendent Shirly Bzdewka confirmed the final tally Wednesday.
"I’m only sorry that both of them couldn’t have been on the board," she said.
Mr. Larsen was happy to have won, but also relieved that the wait was over.
"I was cautiously optimistic," he said Tuesday. "It got more exciting as it went on because they were seriously considering every vote."
He is looking forward to participating as a member of the board for the next three years.
"I don’t know what to expect yet, as far as behind the scenes on the school board, but I’m willing to step up to the plate," he said. "I’m just honored I can be a part of the board and learn."
Mr. Somers said he is disappointed and believes the Board of Elections’ decision "lacked justification and regulatory continuity.
"I was under the impression that a write-in vote had to include the proper spelling of the candidate’s first and last names to be valid," he said in a letter to The Cranbury Press.
Mr. Somers said he understood that the board was seeking to determine the intent of the voters, but he questioned how the board could allow only last names to be counted.
"When you get down to the nitty-gritty, there are three registered voters with the last name of Larsen," he said.
Mr. Somers can file for a recount, but he said he will accept the board’s decision.
"I most certainly wouldn’t want to burden the town of Jamesburg and impede the Board of Education’s reorganization with a contest for recount," Mr. Somers said in the letter.
The school board met Monday to reorganize. Only six members could participate, however, because the election results had not been certified. Neither Mr. Eldridge nor Ms. Toth could be sworn in.
Both Mr. Larsen and Mr. Somers were present in the audience.
"What can be learned is that especially in small town politics, one vote could make a difference," Mr. Somers said.

