- A recount of any election contest shall be held if the difference between the highest number of votes cast in that election contest and the next highest number of votes cast in that election contest is less than or equal to one-half of one percent of the highest vote cast in that election contest (CRS 1-10.5-101(b)).
- For our RCV contest, we will calculate the percentage difference based on candidate Final Round vote totals.
- A recount shall occur only after the Canvass Board certifies the original vote count.
- If a automatic recount is not required, an interested party may submit a notarized written request for a recount at the expense of the interested party. This request shall be filed with the secretary of state, the county clerk and recorder, within twenty-two days after the election.
Automatic Recount Example – Two candidate race:
Total ballots returned 10,099
- Candidate A 5,034
- Candidate B 5,065
Calculation for a recount:
- Difference between candidates = 31
- Winning candidate vote total = 5065
- Winning candidate vote difference less than < or = to .5%
- 31/5065= .006120434 or .6%
No automatic recount required
Automatic Recount Example 2: Multiple Candidate Race (top 5 win)
Total ballots returned:
- Candidate 4th place 10,213
- Candidate 5th place 8,986
- Candidate 6th place 8,861
- Candidate 7th place 8,819
Calculation for a recount:
- Difference between candidates (Candidate 5 and 6) = 125
- Winning candidate vote total = 8,986 (candidate in 5th place)
- Difference between candidates/ Winning candidate vote total less than< or = to .005 or .5%
- 125/8986= .0139105 or 1.3%
No automatic recount required