Unofficially, Rep. Gary Moore, R-Standish, is the winner of the House District 102 race. Officially, however, the race is still undecided.
On Monday, Nov. 21, a recount was held at the Augusta Public Safety Building to determine a winner in the race between Democratic challenger Michael Shaw and the incumbent Moore.
During the recount, Moore and Shaw watched helplessly as six people from each party counted 3,276 ballots by hand.
After the ballots were inspected, Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap announced late Monday that the recount was officially still undecided and will continue next Monday after a Thanksgiving break.
“It was a long day,” said Shaw. “Gary and I just sat in the back of the room talking while the ballots were being counted.”
On election night, Shaw was determined the winner by 13 votes. Because the percentage of loss was so small Moore was entitled to request a recount, which he did.
At the end of Monday, however, the recount proved Moore to be the winner by six votes.
The total count was 1,641 votes for Moore, and 1,635 votes for Shaw.
“This is the only recount out of the eight or so we have conducted where the apparent loser has turned out to be the apparent winner,” said Deputy Secretary of State Doug Dunbar.
But while Moore appears to be the winner, the results are not official until Shaw concedes.
“The candidate has the week to consult whomever they need to and think through the process that has occurred,” said Dunbar. “The decision of what happens next is up to the candidate and their lawyer.”
On Monday, Nov. 27, the candidates can ask questions, and Shaw has the option to concede, or he can choose to send it to the legislature where the Elections Committee will review the facts and circumstances of the election and make a final decision.
“It’s not over yet,” said Shaw. “We just want to make sure the people of Standish are represented by the person they wanted.”
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