UPDATE: The Smith recall petition was filed in the Washington Superior Court Thursday afternoon, and it is anticipated that the recall will be held next week.

I have been asked by the County Clerk for Democratic volunteers for the recount. Anyone who wants to volunteer for the recount should contact their local Democratic (or Progressive, or Republican) County Chair.

Jack McCullough

The state Board of Canvassers has met (again) and certified (again) the results of the Progressive Party’s gubernatorial primary.

Take Two: Martha Abbott 371, Annette Smith 370. The revised tally gives Smith 16 additional votes, thanks to errors in transmitting the results from two towns — Hardwick and Walden.

Smith left the Secretary of State’s HQ as soon as the canvassers concluded their very brief meeting; she wanted to get to the courthouse before it closed, to formally seek a recount.

Meanwhile, VTGOP Chair Jack Lindley represented his party at the meeting and delivered a harsh attack against the whole process. He raised the spectre of a Democratic/Progressive backroom plot to keep Smith off the ballot. His conspiracy theory: Abbott has already said she would withdraw and endorse Governor Shumlin; if Smith is the winner, she might stay on the ballot (she still hasn’t committed to actually becoming a candidate) and presumably siphon some votes away from the Guv. Hence, the Dems have an interest in an Abbott victory.

More details on this later.