Judge orders recount in South Toms River

An Ocean County Superior Court judge ordered a recount in South Toms River’s council races, where just 10 votes separate first and last place.

Democrats George Rutzler and Jameal Calhoun filed for a recount after final tallies showed Rutzler tied with Republican incumbent Sanford Ross. Each of them had 772 votes, while Calhoun had 766.

Republican Councilman Edward Murray’s 776 votes put him in a narrow first place.

Judge Craig Wellerson ordered the Ocean County Board of Elections to begin its recount there at 10 p.m. on Nov. 30. He waived the fees for such a recount, saying the recount was in the public interest.

The judge last week ordered a recount of votes cast in Brick’s School Board races, where just two votes separate second and third place finishers.

There’s Michael Blandina trails School Board member Jessica Clayton 12,968-12,966. Melissa Parker finished first with 13,528 votes. Challengers Micah Bender and Melissa Lozada earned 12,105 and 10,186 votes, respectively.

Wellerson also waived fees for that recount.