Finalized election results approved by the Bucks County Board of Elections have shaken up the Neshaminy School Board race.
The initial unofficial results showed Alicia Lafferty, who was filed as both a Democrat and Republican, and Republican Tanya Rinkus winning the two open seats in Region 3. Democrat Kellen Sporny did not have enough votes to win, although the margin was close.
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However, tabulation of results and counting of overseas and military ballots, which were not due until several days after the election, and a review of submitted provisional ballots changed the results, according to county election officials.
Lafferty remains headed to the school board, but Rinkus will not be, as Sporny gained more votes once all ballots were tallied.
The change in winner between the unofficial results and certified results is uncommon, but not unheard of.
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Laffery ended up pulling in 5,141 votes, Sporny got 4,706, and Rinkus earned 4,675. There were 75 write-in votes, according to the certified tally.
Laffery and Sporny will take the oath of office early next month. Incumbent Republican Cyndie Bowman in Region 1 and incumbent Republican John Allen in Region 2 will be sworn in for new terms.
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School board members oversee school districts. They establish policies and regulations, evaluate results of the schools, adopt courses and textbooks, hire staff, levy taxes, deal with facilities, and suspend or expel pupils from school under certain conditions.
Editor’s Note: This story was updated on February 11, 2022 with updated result numbers.
Editor’s Note: Publisher Tom Sofield is related to Tanya Rinkus.
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