Up To 3 Volusia Races Could Head To Recount

Posted

DeLand, FL - The vast majority of candidates on the ballot Tuesday night know by now whether they've won or lost.

In Volusia County, though, up to three races remain in doubt as the razor-thin margins of victory may trigger a recount under Florida law, and one common theme in those races is that all the incumbents are currently on the short end of the stick.

Democrat Patrick Henry's spot in the Florida House (District 26) is now in jeopardy after Republican Elizabeth Fetterhoff squeaked out a 72-vote win.

Another is Pat Patterson's seat on the Volusia County Council, where Barbara Girtman defeated the District 1 incumbent by 162 votes.

The final one at risk of a recount is on the Edgewater City Council, where incumbent Christine Power beat Rocky Dorcy by 30 votes.

Tomorrow (November 8th) should decide which of those races will be required to do recounts, according to Supervisor of Elections Lisa Lewis.

"The Volusia County Canvassing Board will meet at 2:00 p.m. to process provisional ballots cast in the General Election," Lewis added.

Once those ballots are added to the final totals, the decision will be made at that point on the recounts.

Under state law, any race where the difference between the candidates is 0.5% or less will be required by law to do a machine recount unless the margin is 0.25% or less. In that case, a manual recount will be ordered.

Lewis says all recounts will be held at her office inside the Volusia County Courthouse in DeLand.

"In the event there is a need for a machine recount in the Edgewater City Council District 1 race and in the Volusia County Council District 1 race, the recount will begin at 9:00 a.m. Friday (November 9th)," Lewis stated. "If the machine recount indicates that a manual recount is required, the manual recount will begin immediately following the machine recount."

Any possible recount for Florida House District 26 will have to wait until the first two are completed or as soon as possible should neither one require a recount, per Lewis.

featured