You may have noticed in our election previews, we will often say someone is uncontested on the ballot.

It would sound better to just say they are uncontested, since “on the ballot” is understood. No one is suggesting the candidate is uncontested on a Ferris wheel, or uncontested on a hiking trail. So why would we – in a line of work that takes succinctness – add words?

Because they are needed. And the Friday, March 22 selectman election in Alna showed why.

Incumbent Ed Pentaleri was the only candidate with the filed and verified nomination papers to get on the ballot, and so he was the only one on it. In results the the town released Election Night, he got 108 votes; Nicholas Johnston got 114 write-in votes and was sworn in at the open town meeting the next day. So, you don’t have to be on the ballot to win, being a lone candidate on the ballot means only that, and we will likely keep using “on the ballot.”

Week’s positive parting thought: Congratulations to the winners of these and other area elections this spring; and thank you to everyone else who has filled those seats, or offered to.