Village mayor race results being questioned

WAPPINGERS FALLS – Village Clerk John Karge has asked the Dutchess County Board of Elections to canvass the votes he had tallied on Tuesday night.  The unofficial results from Karge had Jennifer Niznik winning the race for mayor with 412 votes between her appearance on the Republican and Village Unity ballot Lines. Mayor Kevin Huber, running on the Democrat and Village First ballot lines garnered 370 votes.  Charles Ferry received 151 votes.

On Wednesday, Karge told Mid-Hudson News, “I looked at the tallies this morning and the totals seemed to be unusual.”  Karge said he contacted the New York Conference of Mayors (NYCOM) to ask how he should proceed.  NYCOM provides guidance to villages and cities throughout the state.  Karge said NYCOM told him to contact the county board of elections and have them conduct a recount.

Once word of a recount began circulating, so did rumors.  Karge insists that he did not certify the results from Tuesday, therefore no such winner has been declared but that did not deter people from heading to social media with claims that Karge had recounted the ballots and Huber was in the lead on Wednesday afternoon.  “The Board of Elections is going to recount each ballot to determine the winner of the mayor race before I can certify the results.  I have not certified a winner yet.”

Niznik contacted an attorney on Wednesday and a cease and desist letter was drawn up and served upon the village clerk, prohibiting him from taking any further action until the BOE has performed the recount.