Moore is in, and Rego out, in the tight Little Compton Town Council race.

Drop box and other late ballots added by the state Thursday afternoon gave incumbent Democrat Andrew W. Iriarte-Moore 11 more votes, enough to keep his seat and push out Republican challenger Maureen R. Rego, who since Tuesday had been ahead of him by two votes. The election has yet to be certified by the state.

Following Tuesday's election and through mid-Thursday afternoon, state figures showed incumbents Robert L. Mushen (R), Gary S. Mataronas (R), Paul J. Golembeske (R), Patrick A. McHugh (D) and Rego (D) winning the five available seats, with Rego finishing fifth at 969 votes to Moore's 967.

But 14 drop box and five provisional ballots remained to be counted by the state after the polls closed Tuesday evening. They stayed in Little Compton's possession until they were delivered to the state Board of Elections Wednesday, and were added by the state at 4:32 p.m.  Thursday. The results still are not official but  the state is working to certify the election.

Moore, who heard the updated numbers shortly after they were released Thursday, said he is thrilled.

"It was exciting," he said. "We were at the school gymnasium when the results were coming in. It was so close. I didn't feel like it was over yet, but you get the gut feeling where you say, 'This could be it.'

But he was aware of the late ballots, and kept watching the state Board of Elections website for updates.

"I thought, 'Who knows?'

If certified, the victory would be Moore's third straight and would represent the longest tenure for a Democratic town councilor in Little Compton in at least 40 years. With his re-election, the Republicans would have a 3-2 council majority.

First things first
Moore said he is enthusiastic to get back to work, and plans soon to research community aggregate solar programs, which offer residents in participating towns competitively priced electricity bought municipally, in bulk.

Homeowners can opt in or out, he said, but he believes the program could go a long way to helping reduce energy costs in Little Compton.

"I heard from everyone on the campaign trail that they are feeling financially squeezed from every direction," he said. "I think an easy way the town can help people reduce their costs is through exploring community aggregate solar."

There's much more ahead, he said, but Thursday night he was relaxing and celebrating with pasta.

"Comfort food."

On Thursday evening, Rego said she is waiting for the results to become official.

"I mean, I’ve seen it happen before where the elections are close and every vote counts. If that’s the case, I know Andrew is well-qualified to take that seat as well.”

How many votes?

With the addition of the late ballots:

• Mushen gained six votes, bringing him from 1,143 to 1,149.

• Mataronas gained five votes, bringing him from 1,111 to 1,116.

• McHugh gained 10 votes, bringing him from 1,090 to 1,100.

• Paul J. Golembeske gained five votes, from 1,094 to 1,099

• Moore gained 11 votes, bringing him from 967 to 978.

• Rego gained four votes, bringing her from 969 to 973.

• Polly Allen gained 10 votes, bringing her from 849 to 859.

• Mikel Folcarelli gained five votes, bringing him from 847 to 852.

• David A. Beauchemin gained one vote, bringing him from  744 to 745.