Machine Recount
- A Machine Recount occurs if the first set of unofficial returns indicates that a candidate was defeated or eliminated by ½ of one percent or less of the total votes cast for an office, or if an issue (such as a constitutional amendment) was approved or rejected by ½ of one percent or less of the total votes cast on the issue.
(Section 102.141(7), Florida Statutes and Rule 1S-2.031, Florida Administrative Code)
- The Machine Recount means all ballots are re-tabulated, or re-fed through a county’s precinct tabulators and/or central count tabulators.
- Ballots with overvotes and undervotes in the affected race(s) are subsequently set aside in case a manual recount occurs.
- Exception to ordering a machine recount: If the candidate(s) defeated or eliminated from contention for the office by ½ of one percent or less request in writing that a machine recount not be conducted.
- Results: The results from the machine recount constitutes the second set of unofficial returns.
- Definitions: Overvote: Voter designated more choices than allowable in the recounted race(s) on their ballot. Undervote: Voter made no choice or fewer than number of allowable choices in the recounted race(s) on their ballot.
Manual Recount of Overvotes and Undervotes
- A Manual Recount occurs if the second set of unofficial returns indicates that a candidate was eliminated or defeated by ¼ of one percent or less of the votes cast for the office, or if an issue was approved or rejected by ¼ of one percent or less of the total votes cast on the issue.
(Section 102.166, Florida Statutes and Rules 1S-2.027 and Rule 1S-2.051, Florida Administrative Code)
- The Manual Recount is a hand recount of overvotes and undervotes set aside from the machine recount.
- Exceptions to ordering a manual recount: If the candidate(s) defeated or eliminated from contention for the office by ¼ of one percent or less request in writing that it not be conducted;
OR
If the number of overvotes and undervotes is less than the number of votes needed to change the election outcome.
- Results: The results from the manual recount will be reflected in the Official Returns due to the state on Nov. 18
Source: Florida Division of Elections
Published November 14, 2018
