Democrat Lauren Spierig extended her lead to three votes over Republican incumbent Thomas Baio in the Mendham Local Committee race after a recount that took place today.
Spirig originally led by two votes, 1,473 to 1,471. In the recount, Spirig won, 1,473 to 1,470.
The Election Day and early voting machine remained the same, and Bayo lost one vote in the hand-counting of mail-in ballots.
Republicans are expected to protest one advance ballot that was rejected by the Morris County Board of Elections. But if the GOP can’t convince a judge that some voters who voted in Mendham Township no longer live there, there are discussions to challenge the residency of some young people who no longer live with their parents but continue to vote in Mendham . – Bayo has little way to keep his place.
That would reduce the Republican majority to 3-2 in January.
Tracy Moran, the Republican incumbent, was the leading vote-getter with 1,532 votes. Democrat Martin Slane finished fourth with 1,397 points.
Mendham Township is the hometown of former Gov. Chris Christie. Records filed with the New Jersey State Elections Commission show no contributions by Christie to local Republican candidates.
