UPDATE: A surprising tie in the Bucksport school board election has set the stage for a potential runoff election in December 2023. Emily Fitzgerald and incumbent Keith Kneeland Jr. both received 773 votes in a race that saw a dramatic twist following a recount requested by Kneeland.
The recount, conducted on Thursday, revealed the tie, upending initial results that had Fitzgerald winning with 773 votes to Kneeland’s 770 votes. The town of Bucksport confirmed that 187 ballots were left blank, and one ballot was unaccounted for out of the 1,734 ballots recorded. This missing ballot was later discovered among state election materials, but it did not affect the final outcome as it was marked blank for the school board race.
Town Manager Jacob Gran explained that the final ballot mix-up occurred because both town and state ballots were processed through the same tabulator. As both candidates have seven days to decide whether to withdraw from the race, neither has indicated any intention to back down. Kneeland stated he is “1000% staying in the race,” describing the election process as “a giant roller coaster of emotions.”
If both candidates remain committed, state law mandates that the Town Council will call for a runoff election. Gran noted that a minimum of 30 days of absentee voting will be needed before the polls open, suggesting that the runoff could occur in mid- to late December.
Fitzgerald remains tight-lipped about her intentions, while Kneeland prepares for another round of campaigning. He expressed determination, stating, “It will all be worth it though if I am lucky enough to end up getting to fight for the kids of RSU 25 for another three years.”
This unprecedented tie has captured the attention of the Bucksport community and beyond, highlighting the intense competition for a vital educational position. As the town navigates this unusual situation, residents are eagerly awaiting the next steps in this unfolding story.
Stay tuned for updates as this developing situation progresses.
