Projo Politics Blog

PROVIDENCE -- The recount of the primary race that appears to have unseated longtime state Sen. Stephen D. Alves is over. And Alves's opponent, newcome Michael Pinga, remains ahead.

Pinga increased his lead by two votes in the recount at the state Board of Elections in Providence, from 17 to 19. The vote tallies after the recount are: Pinga, 996, Alves, 977.

But even before the recount ended early this afternoon, Alves said he would be asking for a new election, alleging that more ballots were cast than voter signature cards were signed.

After the recount, Alves' Providence lawyer, Angel Taveras, said they filed a protest this morning with the state Board of Elections seeking a new election.

Taveras asserted that 87 ballots were cast that did not have corresponding voters' signatures at polling places.

Taveras said he and his client are waiting to hear when they can get a hearing, but it is expected this week.

Pinga had held a 17-vote lead over Alves, the powerful chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, for the West Warwick District 9 seat after last Tuesday's primary.

A recount is also slated for today in the primary for Warwick's Senate District 31 in which Erin P. Lynch apparently defeated David Bennett by 11 votes. That recount is likely to follow the Alves-Pinga recount.

--With reports from Journal staff writer Talia Buford

 Tags  Michael Pinga R.I. primary recount Sen. Stephen D. Alves

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