In Franklin, poll workers Thursday evening were counting about 3,000 uncounted ballots — much more than the previously estimated 600 uncounted ballots, according to a spokeswoman for the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Office.
The newly discovered 3,000 uncounted ballots were mail-in votes that appeared to have never made it to polling locations on Election Day.
The ballots loom large as Jesse Mermell trails by 1,377 votes to Jake Auchincloss with more than 96% of precincts reporting.
“We also believe based on conversations we’ve had with leaders in several communities that there may be even more uncounted ballots in communities across the district, and that’s deeply concerning,” Mermell said in front of Newton City Hall, ahead of ballot counting on Thursday.