Lawrence Mayor Lantigua Files For Election Recount

Lawrence Mayor William Lantigua has formally filed for a recount of votes in last week's election.

The unofficial results showed Lantigua trailing his challenger, City Councilor Daniel Rivera, by 58 votes. A total of 15,210 votes were cast.

Lantigua's lawyer, Sal Tabit, submitted a formal request for a recount Thursday morning. The deadline to do so was Friday.

Tabit said he submitted 300 signatures. Sixty signatures, 10 from each of the city's wards, were required.

Rivera has claimed victory and had urged Lantigua not to seek a recount.

Tabit said his client wants to ensure the accuracy of the count, regardless of the outcome.

"He's hopeful that the process will be transparent and hoping that it will be conclusive," Tabit said. "But beyond that he's tired, like everyone else, and eager to get it over with."

Once the signatures are certified, a hand count of the 15,210 ballots could take place as early as this weekend.

Police have been guarding the ballots in a City Hall vault since the Nov. 5 election.

With reporting by The Associated Press and the WBUR Newsroom