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Barrett Reels In 45 Write-In Votes For Mayor
 |
| Ward 1 |
Ward 2 |
Ward 3 |
Ward 4 |
Ward 5 |
Total | |
| Richard Alcombright |
204 |
228 |
157 |
291 |
225 |
1,105 |
| Ronald Boucher |
129 |
162 |
100 |
214 |
146 |
751 |
| Robert Martelle |
31 |
63 |
32 |
52 |
38 |
216 |
| Write-in: John Barrett III |
10 |
7 |
12 |
10 |
6 |
45 |
| Write-in: Other |
0 |
0 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 6 |
| Blanks |
232 |
252 |
179 |
322 |
219 |
1,204 |
| Total ballots cast |
303 |
356 |
241 |
446 |
318 |
1,664 |
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The city's longtime former mayor still has supporters who would like to see him reseated in the corner office.
In Tuesday's preliminary election John Barrett III received 45 write-in votes. Six others received write-in votes but because the totals were fewer than five votes, the names will not be recorded.
The official totals put Richard Alcombright with 1,105 votes and Ronald Boucher with 741 to place them on the mayoral ballot in November. Robert Martelle finished with 216 votes.
However, the ballots had voters have been puzzled. Rather than voting for one person, the ballots asked for voters to vote for "no more than two" candidates, which created 1,204 blank votes. If someone voted for one person, their other vote was considered "blank."
City Clerk Marilyn Gomeau said the voting machines were set and the ballots were written that way because the election sought two candidates. But a number of residents claimed preliminary elections in the past have always asked voters to choose only one.
According to Brian McNiff, a spokesman from Secretary of State William Galvin's office, the city charter would indicate how many candidates to vote for on the preliminary ballot.
Former City Clerk Mary Ann Abuisi, who was clerk during the last preliminary 14 years ago, said preliminary elections have been rare but does not remember ever having voters choose multiple candidates.
In Pittsfield, voters in the preliminary election on Tuesday only picked one candidate. In any case, more than two-thirds voters chose not to select two candidates.
Boucher and Alcombright both submitted their campaign finance reports, detailing receipts and expenditures up to eight days before the election.
As of Sept. 19, Boucher received a total of $1,669 in contributions and spent $666.27. He also received $1,410 worth of in-kind contributions. Alcombright received $7,466 in contributions and spent $5,910.
The full reports are available below.
2011 Finance Report Ron Boucher
2011 Finance Report Richard Alcombright
State Election