Village Explains Recount in Trustee Election

The Village of Rockville Centre sent the following information to Patch as to why a recount was conducted for Tuesday's close trustee election:

1. The election results were very close. In such cases, any candidate has the right to request that the machines be impounded, and that a re-canvass be done by the Nassau County Board of Election. Trustee Glynn requested that this be done, and the process is underway as provided for in New York Election Law 15-126.

2. This is not the first time that a re-canvass has been done in RVC, and it is a common event in village elections throughout Nassau County. Many contested village elections have close votes, and result in a re-canvass to make sure that the final result is an accurate count.

3. The issue raised as to certification of the results is factually incorrect, and irrelevant. In the past, when the village had many different election districts, the results from the various districts were brought to Village Hall where they were tallied. The results of the canvass were then delivered to the Board of Trustees the following day, which would issue the official certification of result. The results were not certified by any village staff members. This is the procedure required by Election Law 15-126(1). 

A few years ago, in the interests of economy, the village consolidated into one election district for village elections, and all voters now cast their ballots at the Recreation Center. New York State law provides that when the village consists of one election district, the inspectors of election must file their canvass results with the Village Clerk no later than 9 a.m. the day after the election, and the Village Clerk tallies the various result sheets and may then certify the results. However, this certification is subject to the right of any candidate to request a re-canvass.

4. Within two days after the election date, any candidate may request a re-canvass. The re-canvass is conducted by the County Board of Elections, and consists of opening the various machines and tallying the machine results. The recount of absentee or other ballots is done by the Village Clerk. These procedures are done in full view of the candidates, who have a right to attend. Within one day after receiving the request for a re-canvass, the Village Clerk notifies the Board of Elections, and the Board of Elections will conduct the re-canvass within five days.

In this particular election, the re-canvass request was received yesterday, and given to the Board of Elections, and the re-canvass was conducted. Until the re-canvass results are received, the village can take no further steps with respect to the election results.