URGENT UPDATE: A tie in the Bucksport school board election is pushing the race toward a potential runoff in December. In an unprecedented twist, both candidates, Emily Fitzgerald and incumbent Keith Kneeland Jr., each secured 773 votes during a recount, forcing the town to consider a runoff election.
The shocking turn of events unfolded when a recount requested by Kneeland revealed the tie, following initial results that had Fitzgerald winning with 773 to 770 votes. The town’s election tally showed 1,734 ballots were recorded, with 187 ballots left blank, raising questions about the election process.
Town Manager Jacob Gran confirmed the recount’s outcome, stating that a final ballot was found among state election ballots, but it was submitted blank for the school board vote. This confusion arose from both town and state ballots being processed through a single tabulator machine, Gran explained.
With the candidates given seven days to decide whether to withdraw, both Fitzgerald and Kneeland have expressed their intention to remain in the race. Kneeland, who described the experience as “a giant roller coaster of emotions,” stated emphatically, “I am 1000% staying in the race.” He expressed hope about continuing his fight for the children in the RSU 25 district.
If both candidates opt to stay, state law mandates that the Bucksport Town Council will need to call a runoff election. Gran indicated that absentee voting must commence at least 30 days prior to the new election day, likely placing the runoff in mid- to late December.
This unexpected turn in the Bucksport school board election not only highlights the intricacies of local governance but also raises stakes for the community’s educational leadership. Voters in the district, which includes Bucksport, Orland, Prospect, and Verona Island, are now bracing for a potential second round of campaigning as both candidates gear up for what may be a decisive election.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops, and watch for further announcements from the Bucksport Town Council regarding the next steps in this historic election.
