Public invited to observe Ward 2 recount

LACONIA — Nicole Arsenault, candidate for city council in Ward 2, requested a recount Wednesday, after she lost a chance to advance to the city election in November by just 4 votes.

The recount is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 12, at City Hall downtown. It will take place in room 200B, a smaller upstairs conference room.

The race for city council in Ward 2 was competitive, with two candidates essentially splitting the vote in the primary on Tuesday. 

Bob Soucy, the incumbent in that ward, received the most votes in the primary: 116. Gregg Hough narrowly bested Arsenault, with 88 votes to her 84. 

Late Wednesday afternoon, Arsenault submitted a written request to the Office of the City Clerk for the recount.

Lois Kessin will stand in for Arsenault on Friday morning during the recount, as Arsenault will be out of the state.

According to the city charter, candidates have until the end of the Friday following an election to request a recount. 

During the proceedings, cellphone use in the recount room is prohibited. Photographs of ballots are also prohibited. All members of the public are to be seated in a designated area which allows visual and audio observation of the process. No person can be seated closer than six feet away from those conducting the recount, unless they’re an official observer. 

The clerk will operate with two-person teams for recounting and, for each two-person team, each candidate can have an observer. 

The winner of the recount, plus Soucy, will advance to the Municipal Election on Tuesday, Nov. 4.