~ Election 2023 ~ Rizzo files, Sannella mulls recount

By Barbara Taormina

Last week’s election may not be over just yet.

Two candidates have taken out papers to file for a recount: mayoral candidate Councillor-at-Large Dan Rizzo, who came in 364 votes behind Acting Mayor Patrick Keefe, and longtime School Committee Member Frederick Sannella, who finished last in a field of 11 candidates. According to Election Commissioner Paul Fahey, papers must be returned by 5:00 p.m. on Friday with 10 signatures of registered voters from each ward the candidate wants to recount.

“We’re gathering signatures now,” said Rizzo when reached by phone on Wednesday afternoon. “This is not just about counting ballots that were submitted. We’re looking at the whole election holistically, early voting, mail-in ballots.”

Rizzo said a combination of things led him to consider a recount. “This isn’t like the days of hanging chads. I don’t think a recount will overturn the election; the margin was too much. But there were abnormalities along the way. We want to make sure all the i’s were dotted and the t’s crossed,” he said.

Rizzo explained that filing for recount was the only way to get the information he was looking for. “I owe it to my supporters,” he said, adding that he was working with an attorney.

“If we don’t file for a recount, we run out of time to request information,” said Rizzo, adding that there were abnormalities his campaign wants to check out.

“If there’s nothing, there’s nothing, and we walk away,” he said.

Like Rizzo, Frederick Anthony Sannella, who was running for his nineth term on the school committee, has questions about different aspects of last week’s election and filing for a recount is the best way to get answers.

“I heard they had some down time and some problems,” said Sannella who would like more information about what may have happened. Sannella also has questions about provisional and overseas ballots.

He hasn’t yet decided if he will move forward with a recount request. As a former elections Commissioner for Revere, he’s aware of the details and work involved.

Fahey said that if the recount papers and signatures are filed and a recount moves forward, the estimated cost to the city would be between $15,000 and $20,000. In addition to election department staff, the city would need to cover the costs of help from public works setting up, a police detail and an attorney.