Fetterhoff's HD 26 Race Lead Increases After Manual Recount

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DeLand, FL - Patrick Henry's chances of keeping his seat in the Florida House take a big hit. The Daytona Beach Democrat (right of photo above) wasn't able to gain any ground on Republican challenger Elizabeth Fetterhoff (left of photo below) during today's manual recount for Florida House District 26. Fetterhoff stretched her lead out by six votes once the lawyers went through all the contested ballots. She gained 11 total votes during the process, with Henry taking in another five.
Current results show Fetterhoff (30,610) up by 61 votes out of over 61,000 cast against Henry (30,549), the only non-Republican representing Volusia County in Tallahassee. Overseas ballots still need to be factored into the final total, according to Volusia County Supervisor of Elections Lisa Lewis. Those can be included if they arrive within 10 days of Election Day. Henry could also gain extra votes from those whose ballots were rejected due to mismatched signatures. A judge has ruled that any voters with that problem have until 5 p.m. Saturday (November 17th) to get it sorted out with their local supervisor of elections office. “We initially mailed out a letter containing an affidavit to these voters giving them the opportunity to correct their signature," Lewis added. "The voter simply needed to return the signed affidavit to cure their ballot.” If Fetterhoff's lead holds once results are certified, that means all available state Legislative seats in Volusia and Flagler this election were won by the GOP. Lewis' office still needs to complete manual recounts for two state races: the United States Senate battle between current Florida Governor Rick Scott and incumbent Bill Nelson and the Agriculture Commissioner tussle between Democrat Nikki Fried and Republican Matt Caldwell. That process is scheduled to happen tomorrow afternoon starting at 3 o'clock from the second-floor training room at the Historic Volusia County Courthouse on 125 West New York Avenue in DeLand. It's open to the public.