Despite Temporary Ballot Shortage, Northampton Will Not Redo Override Vote

Northampton, Massachusetts, officials have decided not to redo the city’s override vote, despite a ballot shortage in one precinct.

Northampton held both a presidential primary and municipal election on a tax override.

City clerk Pamela Powers said that for about 45 minutes just before 6:00 p.m., one city ward ran out of municipal ballots before replacements arrived.

Powers said about 50 people didn’t get the ballots — though some came back to vote later.

Since the override ed by a much greater margin than that — 68% "yes "to 32% "no" — the city solicitor did not recommend a new vote, and the mayor’s office concurred. Even the head of a group against the override agreed with that decision.

Powers said she’s nevertheless frustrated any voter was inconvenienced.

" I think that there is integrity in the in the system overall," Powers said. "We didn't screw up the process. We screwed up the communication piece of it, which I acknowledge."

Powers said this is the first ballot shortage in Northampton — and next election, she plans to send out ballot replacements much earlier in the day.