A recanvass is essentially a review of the vote totals in each county. County clerks will review the absentee votes and check the printouts to make sure the numbers were correct when they were transmitted to the State Board of Elections. State law allows for recanvassing only if a county clerk or a county board of elections notices a discrepancy or if a candidate makes a written request to the secretary of state.
Comer said late Tuesday that he would ask for a recanvass, and if he gains votes in it, Comer said he may ask for a “full-fledged recount.” A recount is a more elaborate procedure that can only be ordered by a circuit court judge and includes an actual examination of the ballots.
Under state law, Comer has until 4 p.m. May 26 to request the recanvass, which would be conducted at 9 a.m. on May 28. He would then have until the next day to ask a Franklin Circuit judge to order a recount.