To the editor:

I was dismayed to see, on local social media pages, comments that suggested that the recount for the closely contested third seat on the Barrington Town Council was suspicious.

As I followed the race closely, and learned when mail ballots, provisional ballots and overseas military ballots were counted, it was clear to me that in a close race, the vote tallies could change.

This isn't conspiracy, it is simply the state's commitment to count every ballot.

On Friday, Nov. 15, I attended the Board of Elections recount. The process was lengthy (I arrived at 11 a.m. and left around 4:30 p.m.) The officials at the BOE explained every step of the process, and allowed the members of the public to see each ballot where the vote wasn't clear, and explain to us how they were making the determination for each ballot. The majority of the ballots where a vote wasn't counted in the Town Council race had four votes cast (when the instructions were to vote for no more than 3.) This voter error meant that no votes were recorded.

Barrington was well-represented throughout the day with Brian Hughes present, as well as Lisa Daft, a local Republican leader; Merrie DeSisto, the Town Clerk; a member of the Board of Canvassers and a number of members of the local Town Democratic Committee. (Jordan Jancosek was out of town and couldn't attend.) We stood side by side and reviewed the ballots, asked lots of questions about the process, and laughed together when people wrote in humorous things on the ballots. We took time away from our busy days and jobs to participate in this important aspect of fair elections.

When the final vote count was announced, we heard it together. Mr. Hughes was gracious about his loss, and we shook hands and went on our way.

I share this story to first, encourage people to not leap to conclusions without knowing the facts (in this case about how local elections happen); and second, to express my appreciation to Mr. Hughes and Dr. Daft for mutual respect and engagement with the democratic process. We share a commitment to the best interests of Barrington town government, even when we disagree on policy and issues.

Nicole Jellinek

Barrington