THOMPSON – Republican Scott Mace has narrowly unseated longtime Supervisor William Rieber Jr. following the final certification of results by the Sullivan County Board of Elections on Wednesday, November 19.

Mace received 1,528 votes to Rieber’s 1,492 - a margin of just 36 votes. The outcome was decided by absentee and affidavit ballots, where Mace had a clear lead.

Mace thanked his supporters and emphasized unity following the close race.

“Thank you to everyone who stood with this campaign and believed in the future of Thompson,” he said. “This win belongs to all the people who cast their vote and worked on my behalf. I can’t begin to thank you all. I believe in the strength of our community and overall desire to work together. With respect for others and determination to move forward, we can make our town even better. I am forever grateful and ready to go to work.”

Although Rieber led in both early voting and Election Day turnout, it was Mace’s 661 absentee and affidavit votes - compared to 150 for Rieber - that ultimately tipped the race.

Rieber

Rieber told the Democrat following certification that he remains grateful for local support and voiced concern about absentee voting.

“I am immensely thankful to the 56 percent of my friends and neighbors in the Town of Thompson who overwhelmingly supported me and my team and the incredible work we have done,” he said. “Unfortunately, it was not enough to overcome the 600 plus bloc of absentee voters that are trying to control our town from beyond our borders. I find this unacceptable and will not stop fighting for our town. We have a fantastic town, well capitalized, and on the upswing. That does not happen without vision, focus and hard work, which I will continue.”

Absentee Turnout

Mace gained ground in several districts, including District 13, which covers the Village of Ateres, a predominantly Hasidic Jewish community that was incorporated in 2023 and located within the Town of Thompson. There, he received 249 of the 254 votes cast, while Rieber received just four. 

This concentrated absentee turnout has drawn attention from elected officials.

Addressing the role of absentee ballots, Mace added: “I know candidates try to garner that support, often utilizing our state and federal representatives to call and lobby on their behalf. I did no such thing. Just a conversation making no promises.”

He also recognized the unique interests of the Village of Ateres, saying, “The Village of Ateres was formed mainly because they felt the unique needs of their community were not being addressed.”

“I will listen to everyone and give everyone in Thompson a voice. Always have.”

Who Is Eligible?

Under New York State law, several categories of voters are allowed to cast an absentee ballot. These include people who will be out of their county on Election Day, individuals who are ill or have a temporary or permanent disability, and caregivers for those who are unable to travel to the polls. Voters who are residents or patients in a Veterans Affairs hospital also qualify. Additionally, individuals held in jail for a non-felony offense or those awaiting trial are permitted to vote absentee.

According to the New York State Board of Elections, a voter must have lived at their current address for at least 30 days before the election in order to register and vote.

Council Race

In the race for two seats on the Town Board, John Pavese and Melinda Meddaugh were re-elected, defeating Republican Shawn Wiles. Pavese led with 1,685 votes, followed by Meddaugh with 1,552. Wiles received 1,433.

Following the results, Meddaugh also had concern over the influence of absentee voting on local elections.

“While I’m grateful for this victory, it’s concerning that absentee ballots - often from communities here less than 8 weeks a year - continue to rise in Thompson despite early voting options,” Meddaugh posted on her campaign Facebook page. “As a community, we must demand action at the state level to protect the integrity of our elections.”

Clerk and Justice

Town Clerk Marilee Calhoun was re-elected unopposed with 1,708 votes.

For Town Justice, voters re-elected both Shari Sattler and Richard Baum. Sattler received 1,660 votes, and Baum received 1,646. There were 13 write-in votes.

Highway Superintendent 

Incumbent Highway Superintendent Hayden Carnell, running on the Democratic and Conservative lines, won his bid for re-election, beating challenger Charles Brasington, who ran on the Republican and “People’s Choice” lines. Carnell received 2,164 votes to Brasington’s 816.