The state-mandated recount of the Fort Pierce mayoral race began at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday with about 20 members of the media, the campaigns and the public at the elections office. The recount is required because the vote difference between Vince Gaskin and Linda Hudson a half-percent or less. Results had Gaskin ahead by five votes after Election Day and then ahead by 21 votes after provisional ballots were counted Thursday and Friday. Hudson then took the lead by 61 votes after early votes from Nov. 1-3 were recounted Sunday.
Elections officials are recounting by machine all ballots in the Fort Pierce mayoral race, including all ballots from early voting, Election Day precincts, absentee, provisional and unread. “Over and under” votes would be recounted manually only if the results of the machine recount yielded a vote difference of a quarter-percent or less. The Canvassing Board would review each one to determine the intent of voters.
Full Article: Election 2012 popular vote update: St. Lucie County vote recount scheduled to begin at 7 a.m..