VERGENNES — A Monday afternoon recount at Vergennes City Hall confirmed the March 7 results of the race for city mayor: former three-term Mayor Mike Daniels edged two-term incumbent Bill Benton, 270-265.
That margin, one less that 1 percent of the votes cast on Town Meeting Day, remained unchanged after two hours of painstaking counting by five members of the Vergennes Board of Civil Authority, including Aldermen Lowell Bertrand and Mark Koenig.
Daniels observed the proceedings, while Alderman Jeff Fritz represented Benton, who had a medical appointment, at the recount. City Clerk Joan Devine ran the proceedings, instructing the BCA members on how to follow state law in sorting and counting ballots.
Daniels said he supported Benton’s request for the recount because of the slim margin, while Fritz said Benton had been urged by many supporters to seek the recount for the same reason.
The March 16 print edition of the Independent will contain comments from both men and an in-depth look at how the recount was conducted.