Article Photos

JOHNSTOWN - Perth financial services manager Edgar "Terry" Blodgett appears headed to a victory against Johnstown 4th Ward Supervisor James Callery in the race for Fulton County treasurer, though an election machine glitch in five towns has prevented all the county's votes from being counted.

As of Tuesday night, Blodgett led Callery 4,419 to 2,665 in the race for a four-year term. Blodgett defeated Callery in September's Republican primary, so Callery ran as an independent in the general election.

The glitch, however, affected Bleecker, Broadalbin, Northampton, Oppenheim and two of Perth's four districts. No votes were tabulated from any of those towns.

Fulton County Deputy Republican Election Commissioner Linda Madison said scanners in machines there froze during the day, which prevented votes from being automatically counted.

A court order that pertains to the 23rd Congressional District special election, however, prohibits any votes in the district from being counted by hand. Therefore, results from those towns, which are all within the district, have not yet come through.

A total of 944 absentee ballots have also been sent throughout the county, and those will be counted within the next week.

Still, Blodgett is likely to hold on to his lead. Callery only won four voting districts across the county, while Blodgett won 31.

"I'm extremely pleased," Blodgett said as he stood at Republican headquarters at the Townhouse restaurant Tuesday. "Fulton County has made a decision, and I want to get out there and work for the people."

He said he hopes to make his January transition as easy as possible, especially in light of the county's difficult economic situation.

"They're having budget problems," he said of the county. "I do want to see if I can get in the office early and get my feet wet."

Callery, who is the chairman of the county's Finance Committee, said he was still hopeful that the uncounted votes could swing the election his way. He said speculating about the election's outcome would be unfair to voters.

"People took time out of their lives to come out and vote, and I would just like to see when [the votes] come through [before commenting on the results]," Callery said.

Blodgett would replace county Treasurer Michelle Ippoliti, who was appointed to serve as treasurer throughout the year after former county Treasurer Bruce Ellsworth became the Northville Central School District's business manager. The position pays about $68,000 annually.

Callery did not seek re-election to his 4th Ward supervisor seat and will be out of politics as of Jan. 1 if the results of the treasurer race do not change.

Zach Subar covers rural Fulton County news. He can be reached at ruralnews@leaderherald.com.