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April 3, 2006

Write-ins may affect Seekonk selectman's race

SEEKONK, Mass. -- Balloting began at noon for a Board of Selectman's race that could be decided by write-in ballots.

Two seats on the board are open, and the only two candidates on the ballot are incumbent Francis Venditti and newcomer John K. Turner. But Venditti's critics are waging a write-in campaign for incumbent John Whelan, who had decided to step down so he could run for state Rep. Philip Travis' seat in the fall.

Because there are no contested races on the ballot, turnout for the municipal elections would normally be extremely light. During the first half hour of voting, 35 residents had cast ballots in Town Hall, one of the four polling places. But an hour later, at the town library, only four people had voted.

-- Journal staff writer C. Eugene Emery Jr.

Last week, Whelan, chairman of the Selectmen, endorsed the campaign. Yesterday, he and his supporters were urging voters to use pre-printed stickers to put Whelan's name in the write-in spot, and to vote for Turner as well.

Venditti, who was been running hard since getting wind of the write-in campaign, has cried foul and threatened a court challenge. But by late last week he had backed off from the threat.

The only other reason to go to the polls: two seats on the library board have no candidates on the ballot. Those two races will be decided by write-ins as well.

-- Journal staff writer C. Eugene Emery Jr.

Posted by Steve Peoples at 1:17 PM | Permalink

April 3, 2006

Write-ins may affect Seekonk selectman's race

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