Republican behind by 178 votes calls for recount in 8th Plymouth District race

A Republican candidate who is trailing behind her Democratic opponent by a few hundred votes in the 8th Plymouth District state House of Representatives race is calling for a recount, citing the potential for “human errors” in the ballot counts.

Bridgewater Republican Sandra Wright is behind Bridgewater Democrat Dennis Gallagher by 178 votes, according to an unofficial tally from the Associated Press.

The district covers Raynham and Bridgewater.

In a statement, Wright said she didn‘t think there was any intentional wrongdoing. Instead, she thinks mistakes may have been made when poll workers counted ballots after a voting machine errored.

“Our campaign is requesting a recount to eliminate the very likely possibility of human error – we only want the most accurate count. Whether the results of the recount are in our favor or against, we will accept them with no further objections,” Wright said in a statement. “We have the utmost respect for the Town Clerk, the poll workers, and the police officers who generously gave their time and energy to ensure the voters can participate in this democratic process.”

Marsha L. Silvia, the Raynham town clerk, said Wright “absolutely has the right to a recount.”

Silvia said on election day, Nov. 5, one ballot machine was replaced after it got “jammed.”

The ballots in the faulty machine were placed in another compartment and were hand-counted by poll workers when polls closed, she added.

Silvia said the town will grant Wright a recount once she officially files for one. Wright has until Nov. 15 at 5 p.m. to do so.

Gallagher also agreed that Wright has a right to a recount, the Democrat told the Taunton Daily Gazette.