LYNN — School Committee member Michael Satterwhite is filing for a recount of votes after Tuesday’s preliminary election left him in third place, thus removing him from being on the ballot for the final election in November.
On Tuesday, Satterwhite’s fellow School Committee member Jared Nicholson received the most votes, at 3,220; City Council President Darren Cyr received 2,593 votes; and Satterwhite received 2,286.
Satterwhite said he believes a recount is warranted ― one that he will pay for ― since he was not too far behind Cyr in votes.
He also cited multiple issues with the election process and the Elections Department at City Hall, including receiving many calls from people with concerns regarding the election.
“Many of you expressed your concerns with some that came out and made an effort to vote that were turned away. I (also) consider this a problem,” Satterwhite said. “We should not be disenfranchising registered voters in Lynn.”
He also said that USPS had not delivered all mail-in ballots that they had in their possession prior to the primary Election Day; some were allegedly postmarked as far back as Sept. 6.
“I have heard your concerns regarding the Elections Department not getting mail-in ballots out to those that requested them that could not get to their polling stations, and I stand in agreement that this is also a problem,” Satterwhite said. “I ran on being a voice for you and this still stands. Thank you to the many residents that have reached out to make me aware of these issues.”
In addition to the latter issues, Satterwhite said he has a problem with the Elections Department telling people that came to vote early that it was not offered and they were turned away because they did not instead ask for an “absentee vote.”
Going into the preliminary elections, Satterwhite said he was feeling good, with more than 4,000 registered voters committing out to support him. But, he said, not all voters came out as expected.
“I want to thank the residents of Lynn for putting their faith and trust in my leadership. These past six months have been a tremendous experience and I feel like my campaign brought an important dialogue,” Satterwhite said. “If I don’t speak up now about your concerns, how will you ever believe that I would do the same as your mayor?”
