Town election 2023

A total of 98 ballots were cast in the 2023 Town of Franklin election. As there were no contested races, the low turnout had been expected. The unofficial vote totals are listed below. The Board of Elections will hold its Canvass Day meeting at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 17 to certify the results.

Franklin Mayor Jack Horton received 88 votes and there were four write-in votes. The mayor serves a two-year term.

For the three seats open on the Town Council, incumbent Mike Lewis received 89 votes, incumbent Vice Mayor Joe Collins received 87 votes and the newcomer to the council, Robbie Tompa, received 68 votes. There were six write-in votes. The council members serve four-year terms.

Council member Adam Kimsey did not run for re-election. He was appointed to the board in 2021 to serve out the remaining two years of Horton’s term on the council after Horton was elected mayor.

The elected officials will be sworn into office at the Town Council meeting on Dec. 4, beginning at 6 p.m. The council meets in the board room on the lower level of Town Hall.

Highlands Election

There were three seats up for grabs on the Highlands Board of Commissioners. Incumbents Brian Stiehler and John (Buz) Dotson will return to the board with 285 and 283 votes, respectively. Joining them on the board will be Jeff Weller who received 255 votes.

Rachel Wilson received 173 votes and Kay Craig received 144. There were six write-in votes.

New voting system

The municipal elections marked the first time the new voting equipment purchased earlier this year had been used.

As the Board of Elections board members and staff gathered at the courthouse Tuesday evening, all seemed impressed with how efficiently the system worked and the speed in which it calculated the votes and got them posted to the state Board of Elections website.

BOE Director Melanie Thibault said they were glad to have the chance to use the equipment during the town elections prior to the 2024 election, which she expects to have a big turnout. Filing for the 2024 election opens at noon on Monday, Dec. 4.