Gail Barmakian’s close win on election night for Oak Bluffs select board stands after Monday morning’s recount confirmed her victory over Dion Alley with a recount vote of 505-503.

The election day result on April 14 had Ms. Barmakian defeating Mr. Alley by the same count, 505-503. Jim Bishop, who dropped out of the race two days before the election, received 50 votes after the recount, adding one vote to his election night total of 49. One additional write-in ballot was found during the recount. The additional vote for Mr. Bishop and the newly counted write-in were offset by a decrease in the count of blank votes from 31 to 29, maintaining the election night ballot total of 1,091.

Mr. Alley immediately called for a recount on election night.

The official recount began Monday at 11 a.m. inside the Oak Bluffs library, with town clerk Colleen Morris presiding.

Election counters were tasked with reviewing by hand each of the 1,091 ballots — a slow process that took nearly two hours, filling the room with tension as official observers, candidates and an audience situated behind glass barriers looked on.

Ms. Morris spent much of the recount reviewing questions and concerns from workers and observers, and keeping order in the room. She said the recount went smoothly as she packed away the ballots for a final time.

“That’s what I expected,” she said. “I have a great team.”

Throughout the recount, election workers read ballots one-by-one to a hushed room: “Dion Alley,” “Gail Barmakian,” “Jim Bishop.”

Ms. Morris rotated workers in and out, switching up counters and tally-takers as they made their way through the stacks of ballots.

An objection to one of the ballots heightened suspense. The ballot was brought before the town clerk and constable Maura McGroarty, who determined two candidates were selected on one sheet, rendering the ballot invalid.

“Mr. Observer, the constable observed that this ballot has two ovals filled in,” Ms. Morris said. “This is a blank.”

Tension was cut in brief moments of sportsmanship between candidates. Early in the count, Ms. Barmakian sat next to Mr. Alley to show him a note as the count crawled on. Mr. Alley returned a smile.

A friendly demeanor between the candidates remained following the recount as they exchanged congratulations outside the library.

“When you go through a hard time together, you have a bond,” Ms. Barmakian said.

“It was nerve wracking,” Ms. Barmakian added, after the recount results were announced and it was confirmed she would begin a fifth term on the Oak Bluffs select board. “I was very relieved.”

Mr. Alley praised Ms. Barmakian’s years of service to the town, saying his candidacy was about the issues Oak Bluffs faces not ousting Ms. Barmakian. He added that he hopes the recount instills trust in the election process, and he promised another run for the select board, noting he’s already received a swell of support in the weeks since the election.

“I mean 503 votes against a long-term incumbent, that’s pretty good,” he said.

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