LISBON — For the second time in as many years, voters failed to support an effort to recall a town councilor Tuesday.

Although the vote was 160-96 to oust veteran council Chairman Michael Bowie from his District 2 seat, the effort failed because the town charter requires at least 608 votes be cast in all, both yes and no.

District 2, which covers Lisbon Falls village, has 3,480 registered voters; 257 participated in the citizen-initiated recall election, Town Clerk Twila Lycette said. One ballot was blank, she said.

Bowie will serve the remaining two years of his term.

The petition was submitted by Dorothy Fitzgerald, chairman of the Recall Committee. The petition alleged that Bowie:

* Denied another councilor the right to place an item on the agenda.

* Did not consult with all councilors when dealing with the town manager.

* Used improper influence and/or conflict of interest regarding the use of town funds.

* Failed to properly preside over a town council meeting.

This is the second recall election since the town adopted a charter in 2006 that provided for recalling town officials. In 2008, an effort to remove Councilor Norma Wells also failed due to lack of voter participation.

Lycette estimated the cost of Tuesday’s election at about $2,000.