Portsmouth Council candidate Katzman files recount request

Portsmouth Town Council candidate Leonard Katzman (D), who was edged out in Tuesday's election by 3 votes, has filed a recount request with the RI Board of Elections, according to a statement received this afternoon by harddeadlines:

"At about 1 p.m. today I filed a formal request for a recount in the Portsmouth Town Council race. As of the final tally of the race, including paper ballots, I trail the last winning candidate by only three votes.

I believe that our optical scanner voting system is very robust and accurate and therefore I do not expect the recount to result in any major change in outcome. Nonetheless, on occasion some variance does occur. I have been contacted by many Portsmouth citizens and they have urged me to seek a recount. I believe I owe it to my supporters to do so. This will allow Portsmouth voters to remain confident in the integrity of the election process.

Regardless of the outcome, I want to thank all who supported my candidacy. Thanks are also due to the Canvasser’s Office for a well-run election."

Full disclosure: I serve on the Portsmouth Democratic Town Committee.