In little more than one month, Matawan will experience something that many municipalities never will – a special election.
“This doesn’t happen too often,” Matawan Borough Clerk Jean Montfort said. Montfort also said that officials in Freehold and Trenton are checking into the procedures.
“The importance of one vote can never be underestimated,” said Fred Carr, Matawan borough administrator. Carr verified that the guidelines for a special election are the same as in a general election.
“This is just another election with the same hours, same polling places, same procedures and the same advertising. It just happens to be an unscheduled election,” Carr quipped.
According to Montfort, the election was scheduled as a result of the recount conducted last month by Monmouth County Board of Elections officials. The recount resulted in a tie between the two mayoral candidates – Republican Paul Buccellato, a councilman since 2001, and Democratic incumbent Mary Aufseeser, who is currently serving as mayor.
Buccellato, who had requested the recount, was awarded one more vote than had been recorded on Election Day. The extra vote came from a provisional ballot, which was completed incorrectly. The voter had marked an “x” by Buccellato’s name instead of filling in the oval next to his name. The voting machine rejected the vote, but recount officials deemed the ballot was valid. The recount verified 947 votes for each candidate.
Aufseeser will remain in office until the winner of the special election is declared and certified by the county. Either she or Buccellato would then be sworn in to a new term after certification, according to election law.
Buccellato said in an e-mail Monday that he thought long and hard before deciding to seek a recount.
“As I have stated previously. I did not want to divide the community and spent considerable time deciding to request a recount. However, when I did make the decision, it was after I received numerous calls from friends, neighbors and residents encouraging me to request the recount. The results of the recount do indicate that an oversight can occur even with computers.”
He said it would have been ideal if the special election could have coincided with the upcoming primary elections in February.
“It would have substantially reduced the election expenses. However, the judge ruled based on the state statute which required the election be held no sooner than 45 days after the order was signed and no later than 50 days after the order was signed.”
Buccellato said he is open to the idea of a debate.
“It would allow the residents to ask questions of the candidates regarding their position on the issues that are important to Matawan.”
Aufseeser could not be reached for comment.
Commenting on the recount, County Clerk M. Claire French verified that there were no problems with the new voting machines.
“They worked flawlessly,” she said, “and it is important that the public realize that.”
French explained that voter error was involved in both towns where recounts were granted – Matawan and Sea Bright.
“In each case, the voters did not follow directions,” she said.
French explained that the special election must meet the same requirements as a general election, including the distribution of sample and absentee ballots. She emphasized that only two names would be allowed on the ballot, however, and pointed to that as a key difference from a general election.
“The municipality also has to pay in entirety, and that is unfortunate,” French said.
French stated that she will be holding a meeting in the next week with all election officials to review processes and procedures and to make improvements where necessary.
“I would like to put together a kit of election information. All election offices would be able to sign off on what is needed in those kits,” French said.
She added that she would like to see additional training of county clerks and other election officials regarding absentee and provisional ballots.
“Recounts are actually good experience for all involved, and the public would really be impressed with the process and level of expertise,” French said, adding, “The recounts have highlighted two things – that every single vote counts and that a single person can influence the outcome of an election and take credit for a victory.”