Final election results won’t be ready for Tuesday’s meeting of the state Canvassing Board, and it’s possible that recounts could be required in two tight legislative races, state officials said Monday. The secretary of state’s office is still reconciling discrepancies in some county election results, including in Sandoval County where one of the recounts may take place, New Mexico Bureau of Elections Director Bobbi Shearer said. State law requires recounts when the margin between the top candidates is less than one-half of 1 percent.
It’s already certain that a recount will be necessary in a state House race in Dona Ana County between Republican Rep. Terry McMillan and Democrat Joanne Ferrary. The race was a tie, according to the county’s tallies.
In Sandoval County, it appeared that the results of some hand-tallied ballots weren’t included in the county’s totals, Shearer said. If those ballots are included, a recount likely will be needed in the state House race between Democrat Marci Blaze and Republican Paul Pacheco, who was leading in unofficial returns, she said.
The Canvassing Board will likely agree on Tuesday to reconvene at a later date to receive the final election tallies, but it could order recounts so they could take place next week, Shearer said.
It’s uncertain when the canvassing of election results will be completed, but it will happen in time for the state’s presidential electors to meet on Dec. 17, she said.
Full Article: NM secretary of state’s office needs more time to finish canvassing general election returns.