Updated election results still show Pope will fill Morlacci seat

In unofficial ballots counted at polling places in the Town of Newstead and Village of Akron on Tuesday, November 3, and early voting, it appears local residents elected Patricia Pope to unexpired term (three years) of Town of Newstead Councilwoman Jeannine Morlacci who resigned May 27, 2020.

In vote totals available Tuesday night, Pope received 1369 votes to her opponent Adam Burg’s 596 votes.  In early voting Pope received 1,167 votes and Burg 989 votes, totaling 2,536 for Pope, 1,585 for Burg  Absentee ballots are yet to be counted and final results not expected until their inclusion.  According to the Board of Election on Tuesday night, 596 absentees have been returned of those requested, with 99 outstanding, in the election for Newstead Town Council.  Of those 235 are Democrats, 188 Republicans, and 173 Other.

Returned to office as Town Justice was Dennis Freeman, who ran unopposed for a four-year term, with 1948 votes on election day and 2073 in early voting for a total of 4021 without absentee votes counted.

The Hon. Dennis Freeman, who took retirement late in 2019, but wanted to continue to serve, was reappointed by the Newstead Town Board to serve through 2020, however, was required to run and be reelected to do so beyond that time period. 

The Hon. Dennis Freeman, has served the Akron-Newstead community for over 25 and received bipartisan support for his bid for a new term.  This changes the election cycle for Town of Newstead justices from alternating elections every two years to the election of Justices in successive years, with a Justice on the ballot again the third year election year.