Automatic recount likely for newly drawn congressional district 4

You might have thought the vote counting in the Florida Primary was over, but in North Florida, it continues, at least for one race. More than likely there will be an automatic recount to determine who the Democratic candidate will be for the newly drawn congressional district 4.

Thursday afternoon the leader was LaShonda Holloway. Tony Hill trailed by about 200 votes.

The official results of the election will likely be sent to the state on Friday.

When the race is this close, the state will call for an automatic machine recount, where the ballots are run through the tabulating machines again.

This is where every vote really makes a difference.

If the results are still close, there will be a manual recount, where elections officials will look at questionable ballots and determine who gets those votes.

Holloway told News4JAX she’s not nervous and believes she will still be ahead when the final numbers are in.

“This has not been nail-biting at all for me,” Holloway said. “I am focused on finishing the race I began, and I am looking forward to going to Washington.”

Where it gets tricky is when elections officials have to look at ballot signatures -- looking at over votes and under votes.

“Most recounts typically remain the same,” Holloway said. “I’m sure my opponent may have some numbers that go up and I may have numbers to go up.”

News4JAX spoke with Hill over the phone, but he declined to make a statement at this point. He said he is waiting to see how this will play out.

The eventual winner will face off against Republican Aaron Bean in the general election. Bean easily won the Republican primary.

The district in question was recently redrawn. It includes a large part of Duval and all of Nassau and Clay counties and leans Republican.


About the Author

Jim Piggott is the reporter to count on when it comes to city government and how it will affect the community.

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