South Toms River Council Race Ends In A Tie

Toms River NJ

24 November, 2020

3:49 PM

Description

SOUTH TOMS RIVER, NJ — A recount has been requested of the results in the South Toms River Borough Council election, where 10 votes separated the top vote-getter from the fourth candidate and two are tied, a county official said. Ocean County officials certified the results of the election on Monday. South Toms River voters were asked to pick two out of four candidates for two seats on the Borough Council. Republican Edward Murray received 776 votes. Republican Sandford Ross Jr., an incumbent, and Democrat George Rutzler were tied with 772 votes. Democrat Jameal Calhoun finished fourth with 766 votes, and one vote was cast for a write-in candidate, according to the official tallies published on the Ocean County election site. Ocean County Clerk Scott A. Colabella said Rutzler and Calhoun have filed a request for a recount in Ocean County Superior Court, the standard procedure for seeking a recount. Colabella said a recount will be conducted once a judge sets a starting date. If Ross and Rutzler remain tied after the recount, a run-off will be held. "No determination on a date for a special election will be made until a recount has been scheduled and conducted," Colabella said. Joseph Kostecki, the South Toms River borough administrator and clerk, said he was awaiting instructions from county officials. "All I know is that I must be the luckiest municipal clerk in the world considering I've never, ever, heard of a tied election," Kostecki said. "Truly shows that every vote counts!" Click here to get Patch email notifications, or get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our app. Download here. Have a news tip? Email [email protected] Follow Toms River Patch on Facebook.