Election Wrap-up: After the Polls Closed

Campaign workers wait for Bedford's results and share the numbers with the candidates
Campaign workers wait for Bedford’s results to be posted so that they can share the numbers with their favorite candidates – Image (c) JMcCT, 2014

By Julie McCay Turner

Clive Grainger
At the end of a busy day

You are quite possibly one of Bedford’s 5,664 voters who participated in Tuesday’s election, but the election didn’t end when you went home.

The final voters often arrive at the polls, huffing and puffing through the doors just before the doors are locked at 8 pm.

Tuesday’s penultimate voter Melinda Ballou missed the 5 pm shuttle from New York, but managed to arrive in time to cast her vote just moments before the polls closed.

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The tapes tell the tale!
The tapes tell the tale!

Campaign coordinators who wanted to be the first to know the results cowded into the building before it was locked at 8 pm. Armed with cell phones and spreadsheets as they waited in the hall outside the JGMS gym, ready to relay Bedford’s results to their candidate’s headquarters.

Clive-Grainger
Clive Grainger celebrated his first US election in Bedford

Clive Grainger worked the polls for the first time on Tuesday, and also celebrated his first-ever opportunity to vote.

Naturalized as an American citizen earlier this year, Grainger was eager for the total voting experience. “Living in Bedford for the past 20 years, I’ve always been on the other side of the door,” said Grainger, proudly pointing to his signature on two of the voting machine tapes, one from each end of the day.

“I’ve always wondered about electronic voting,” he continued, “but it’s clear to me now. The machines are zeroed out in the morning and the first tape is printed. At the end of the day, the same machine prints its vote totals. And, if there are questions, you can go back to the paper ballots.”

Tuesday's ballots are on their way back to Town Hall
Tuesday’s ballots on their way back to Town Hall

Cartons of used paper ballots travel back to the Town Clerk’s office for safe storage under the watchful eye of election warden James Martin.

Checking news reports for election returns
Checking news reports for election returns before the Bedford results were released

Although he might not be waiting for a particular candidate’s results, long term resident and current Selectman Mike Rosenberg can always be found in the hall outside the JGMS gymnasium where all four of Bedford’s precincts vote when the polls close.

“Where else would I be?” Rosenberg asked with a twinkle in his eye on Tuesday evening. “This is the center of the Bedford universe.”

Campaign coordinators also want to be the first to know the results. Armed with cell phones and spreadsheets, they relay the tally for each precinct to their candidate’s headquarters.

And at the candidate’s headquarters

Bedford’s State Representative Ken Gordon and State Senator Mike Barrett each won re-election on Tuesday, and both thanked Bedford voters for their support, and for coming out to the polls.

“I’m very grateful to the voters of Bedford,” Barrett said.  “I’m looking forward to returning to serve the people of the district.  With a new administration, there will be a different dynamic.  But at the end of the day, the bottom line is to get the job done.”

Cathy Cordes thanked Gordon, “Congratulations to Ken Gordon, our State Representative, for his win last night! We are all proud of you, Ken and thankful for the great work you are doing for this district – Bedford, Burlington and Wilmington!”

State Senator Mike Barrett and his family with Bedford Selectman Bill Moonan and Carol Amick - Courtesy image
State Senator Mike Barrett and his family with Bedford Selectman Bill Moonan and Carol Amick – Courtesy image
State Representative Ken Gordon and former Bedford Selectman Cathy Cordes - Courtesy image
State Representative Ken Gordon and former Bedford Selectman Cathy Cordes – Courtesy image

 

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