Palisades Park councilman lost election by 24 votes. Now he's suing for a recount
PALISADES PARK — Long-time Councilman Jongchul Lee is suing to have a recount of the November election results.
The councilman was first elected to in 2009 and has served in many roles including deputy mayor. He is currently down by 24 votes to Republican Stephanie Jang.
Lee first filed for a recount on Nov. 23 but was denied and told it was after the deadline.
Under New Jersey law, candidates have 17 days to apply for a recount if they "have reason to believe that an error has been made in counting the votes of that election."
Lee's attorney, Stephen F. Pellino has filed for a motion to reconsider and said he believes the 17 days should be counted after the election has been certified not from the election date, Nov. 17.
The Palisades Park election results were not certified until Nov. 15.
"It is petitioner's position that the only common-sense reading of the statute is that the petition may be filed within 17 days of the certification of the results," Pellino said in the motion.
The motion to reconsider was filed on Nov. 29 and a hearing is scheduled for Dec. 17.
The suit names Bergen County Clerk John Hogan, the Bergen County Board of Election and the board's superintendents Debra Francica and Jaime Sheehanwills.
Incumbent Chong "Paul" Kim secured his seat on the Council with 1,273 votes, the most in the race.
Jang, a Republican, followed with 1,207, Lee with 1,183 and Republican Matteo Osso with 935 votes.
Bergen County Board of Elections Chairman Richard Miller said the board was informed that Palisades Park filed for a recount late by Bergen County Superior Court.
"There is a big vote difference there," Miller said. "In my 27 years of doing this you won't find that many votes. I doubt it very much."
Miller said if the judge rules in Lee's favor the office will schedule a recount.
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Jang is currently a board of education member and was once accused of voter fraud, which lead to an investigation.
During last year's June primary election, Councilwoman Cynthia Pirrera and her running mate, Jae Park, who both received nominations from the Democratic committee, filed a claim against challengers Councilman Frank Donohue and Jang, who was the Board of Education president at the time.
Westwood is the only town in the county to officially file for a recount, according to Miller.
The Westwood recount will take place on Dec. 7 at 9 a.m. where all voting machines and numbers will be double-checked and election officials will go through by hand provisional and mail-in ballots.
There is an eight vote difference in the Westwood results. "You normally don't see that much of a discrepancy," Miller said.
Democrat Jodi Murph is trailing with 2,029 votes, eight fewer than Republican Anthony Greco.
Kristie Cattafi is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
Email: cattafi@northjersey.com
Twitter: @KristieCattafi
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Palisades Park NJ: Councilman Jongchul Lee files election suit
