Pacheco, Medeiros battle in Sept. 9 recount for House seat

DARTMOUTH – The recount of the 9th Bristol District state representative's primary vote between Democrats Edward M. Pacheco and Stephen J. Medeiros is scheduled for Sept. 9. In Dartmouth, both sides are scheduled to arrive at 9 a.m. with the recount starting at 10 a.m. In New Bedford, the recount will start at 11 a.m. Unofficial results on Sept. 1 had Pacheco winning the race over Medeiros by 14 votes, 2,469 to 2,455. According to the unofficial count, Pacheco tallied 2,082 votes in Dartmouth and 387 in New Bedford to Medeiros' 2,060 votes in Dartmouth and 395 votes in Dartmouth. Since that time, final votes have been filed with the state for certification. The updated numbers in Dartmouth are 2,105 for Pacheco and 2,084 for Medeiros. In New Bedford, they are 389 for Pacheco and 396 for Medeiros. That still leaves Pacheco the winner by 14 votes, 2,494 to 2,480. The 9th Bristol District consists of Dartmouth, and Ward 1 Precincts D, E, and F, in New Bedford. Typically, vote changes come through human error, with the voter filling out the ballot incorrectly or providing too much or too little information. The voter's intent is judged with ballots that are incorrectly filled out. Both sides have representatives on hand to challenge decisions. The winner following the hand recount will face Republican Chester M. Tam on Nov. 3. Tam defeated Henry George Bousquet on the Republican side for 9th Bristol District state representative.