Some Hartford residents might be flattered by the attention from the Sun Journal about our recent election. But I disagree about the May 19 editorial that the town should hold a new election. True, there were some technical violations, but everything happened in full view, and everyone eventually got to vote, except for four residents (whose identity is known).

The selectman’s race was decided by three votes, so if three or more of the excluded voters object to the outcome, that would be the only basis for a new election.

The road commissioner received more than 150 votes from the 201 voters who participated (or tried to). So there can be no doubt about that outcome.

Town clerk candidates tied at 71-71, with a third candidate at 55. The runoff between the tied candidates will be May 31. The third candidate would be eliminated, no matter how the excluded votes were tallied.

If every minor technicality in Maine’s election system resulted in new elections, we would never be finished with them. For example, one voter in Hartford received two ballots stuck together. Should we get all out of joint from such snafus?

In my opinion, small Maine towns have much greater integrity in our elections than is true for recent national elections.

Arthur Harvey, Hartford

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