LAWRENCE COUNTY Candidate files for recount on Democratic write-in votes

An equipment malfunction may be to blame for the problem.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- The race for county treasurer in Lawrence County may not be over.
Susan Bongivengo, a Democratic candidate in the spring election, has filed papers in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court asking that Republican write-in votes be recounted in 29 precincts.
Bongivengo, who also waged a Republican write-in campaign, lost both the Republican and Democratic nominations to incumbent county Treasurer Gary Felasco. Felasco ended with 827 Republican write-in votes and Bongivengo had 800.
But a recount of one district showed a dramatic change in the number of Republican votes, Bongivengo contends.
Initial numbers from the elections office showed only two write-in votes cast in 2nd Ward, 10th precinct in New Castle, but a recount held last month revealed 33 write-in votes. Bongivengo gained 22 votes and Felasco 11.
Recount request
Court papers filed by Bongivengo stated that a possible explanation for the discrepancy from election night was malfunctioning election equipment.
Boxes from 29 precincts were removed from the custody of those tallying write-in votes to be recounted in machines and were not in the exclusive custody of any watcher, court papers said.
Court papers also contend that nine of the 29 boxes were counted by a person who has worked as Felasco's representative since election night.
Bongivengo is asking for a hearing to determine if the boxes can be reopened and counted.
Election director Marlene Gabriel said time is of the essence for the recount. The county must have the November ballot prepared by late September to ensure it is printed by the election.
Gabriel noted write-in votes from three other precincts will be recounted at Bongivengo's request, but a date has not been scheduled yet. Bongivengo paid a $150 per precinct fee for the recounts, she said.