Boston, September 22, 2025
News Summary
Boston election workers confirmed the accuracy of preliminary results in the District 7 council race after a six-and-a-half-hour recount. Candidate Mavrick Afonso’s vote total adjusted slightly, but the order of candidates remains unchanged. Said Ahmed secured a spot on the November ballot with 1,170 votes. A mayoral recount has also begun as Domingos DaRosa seeks to contest his third-place finish. The recount process is focused on ensuring election integrity and enhancing voter education in Boston.
Boston
Recount Confirms District 7 Preliminary Results; Mayoral Recount Continues
Boston election workers and volunteers confirmed the accuracy of the Sept. 9 preliminary election results after a six-and-a-half-hour recount. The recount in the District 7 city council race showed small adjustments to individual totals but did not change which candidates will advance to the November ballot. The process took place with volunteers and election staff reviewing ballots and correcting tabulation miscalculations identified during the recount.
Key vote adjustments and outcome
Mavrick Afonso contested his original vote count of 1,082 votes, in which he placed third to Rev. Miniard Culpepper, who had 1,102 votes. Afonso was able to call for a recount by gathering at least 50 signatures from constituents across four wards. Said Ahmed, a Somalian refugee and coach who attended Boston Public Schools, also secured a spot on the November ballot, totaling 1,155 votes before the recount.
After the recount, Ahmed’s vote count was updated to 1,170, Culpepper gained 10 votes to reach 1,112, and Afonso gained five additional votes to reach 1,087. Those changes confirmed the top two finishers and left the order of candidates unchanged for the general election.
Mayoral recount and related developments
A further recount began on Monday for the mayoral election, where Domingos DaRosa, the third-place finisher, is contesting for a spot on the November ballot after Josh Kraft dropped out. A water main leak delayed the recount which was originally scheduled for Saturday, pushing some reviews into the following week. DaRosa earned 2,409 votes, falling short of the 3,000 votes needed to secure his place on the general election ballot.
DaRosa met the procedural requirement to pursue a recount by collecting signatures in specified wards. DaRosa had six days to gather 50 signatures from each ward to call for a recount and focused on Wards 4, 8, 9, 16, and 18, where enough signatures were obtained. His recount request emphasizes concerns about voter awareness and the preliminary election process.
Process details and atmosphere
The recount initiated for the District 7 race revealed some miscalculations, but did not change the standings. Election staff described the event as methodical and deliberate; volunteers assisted with ballot handling, and the atmosphere was described as informal with people sharing coffee and pizza while work proceeded. The District 7 recount is notable for its rarity.
The recount in the District 7 race is only the second such event in Boston in 40 years and is expected to last several days. Officials said that multi-day reviews are common when hand counts or detailed tabulation checks are required after close preliminary results.
Candidate reactions and next steps
Candidates who retained the top two positions affirmed their intention to campaign for the November general election and to continue engaging with voters. Candidates who pursued recounts indicated that the process was important for maintaining public confidence in election outcomes and for improving voter education about preliminary elections.
FAQ
How were the preliminary results confirmed for District 7?
Boston election workers and volunteers confirmed the accuracy of the Sept. 9 preliminary election results after a six-and-a-half-hour recount.
What were the vote totals after the District 7 recount?
After the recount, Ahmed’s vote count was updated to 1,170, Culpepper gained 10 votes to reach 1,112, and Afonso gained five additional votes to reach 1,087.
What was Mavrick Afonso’s original vote total and placement?
Mavrick Afonso contested his original vote count of 1,082 votes, in which he placed third to Rev. Miniard Culpepper, who had 1,102 votes.
What were Said Ahmed’s credentials and his pre-recount total?
Said Ahmed, a Somalian refugee and coach who attended Boston Public Schools, also secured a spot on the November ballot, totaling 1,155 votes before the recount.
Is the District 7 recount a common occurrence in Boston?
The recount in the District 7 race is only the second such event in Boston in 40 years and is expected to last several days.
What is happening with the mayoral recount?
A further recount began on Monday for the mayoral election, where Domingos DaRosa, the third-place finisher, is contesting for a spot on the November ballot after Josh Kraft dropped out.
How many votes did Domingos DaRosa receive and what was required?
DaRosa earned 2,409 votes, falling short of the 3,000 votes needed to secure his place on the general election ballot.
Why was the recount schedule delayed?
A water main leak delayed the recount which was originally scheduled for Saturday.
How did Afonso and DaRosa qualify for recounts?
Afonso was able to call for a recount by gathering at least 50 signatures from constituents across four wards.
Where did DaRosa gather signatures for his recount request?
DaRosa had six days to gather 50 signatures from each ward to call for a recount and focused on Wards 4, 8, 9, 16, and 18, where enough signatures were obtained.
Did the District 7 recount change the standings?
The recount initiated for the District 7 race revealed some miscalculations, but did not change the standings.
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Quick Reference Table
| Race | Candidate | Pre-recount Votes | Post-recount Votes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| District 7 City Council | Said Ahmed | 1,155 | 1,170 | Secured spot on November ballot |
| District 7 City Council | Rev. Miniard Culpepper | 1,102 | 1,112 | Second-place finisher |
| District 7 City Council | Mavrick Afonso | 1,082 | 1,087 | Called recount after collecting signatures |
| Mayor | Domingos DaRosa | 2,409 | 2,409 | Fell short of 3,000 votes needed for ballot |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Josh Kraft Suspends Boston Mayor Campaign Following Primary Loss
District 7 City Council Race Recount Confirms Results
Boston City Hall Faces Recount Delay After Water Main Break
Boston Election Officials to Oversee Key Recounts This Weekend
Boston Election Department to Conduct Mayoral and District 7 Recounts
Somerville Mayor Katjana Ballantyne Ousted in Preliminary Election
Michelle Wu Advances in Boston Mayoral Race After Kraft Withdraws
Candidates Request Recount for Boston City Council District 7
Josh Kraft Suspends Mayoral Campaign in Boston
Boston Mayoral Preliminary Election Approaches
Additional Resources
- Boston Globe: Boston Preliminary Election Recount
- Boston Herald: District 7 City Council Finalists
- MassLive: Boston to Hold Election Recounts
- Boston.com: Recounts for Boston’s Mayoral Races Scheduled
- Boston 25 News: Election Recounts in Boston
- Wikipedia: Boston
- Google Search: Boston Election Recount
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Election
- Google News: Boston Election Recount
- Google Scholar: Boston Election Recount
Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER
BOSTON STAFF WRITER The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.
