AMHERST – With two write-in votes for Town meeting member at the March 29 town election, Amherst College President Carolyn “Biddy” Martin received enough votes to participate in a runoff election in Precinct 5 next week.
But Martin decided that she does not want to be considered for elective office, said spokeswoman Caroline Hanna in an email.
“She is flattered by the well-intentioned endorsements of the people who nominated her, but given the many demands on her time, she would not be able to serve as a Town Meeting member,” Hanna said. “The seat would be better filled by a resident of the town with a deeper understanding of the daily life of Amherst.”
Town Clerk Sandra Burgess said the issue surrounding the college president arose because only seven residents were running for the eight available three-year seats in the precinct.
“That means to fill the eighth position, I have to look to write-ins,” Burgess said.
Five residents received write-in votes. Martin and two others got two write-in votes, while two residents each got one , Burgess said.
Burgess sent a letter to all write-in candidates letting them know about their option to participate in the tiebreaker election, required by the Town Government Act, or to withdraw from the election.
That tiebreaker election, which will have the current 23 elected members of the precinct voting on the 24th slot, will take place at 5:30 p.m. April 12 at the First Floor Meeting Room at Town Hall.
While Burgess has not yet received notification about Martin’s withdrawal, Hanna said that process has begun.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
