A machine recount of the Republican primary for Florida\u2019s 11th Congressional District is now underway in Lake County after Secretary of State Cord Byrd ordered the count Friday \u2014 the result of a margin so close that the race remains uncalled days after Tuesday\u2019s primary.<\/p>\n
Lake County Supervisor of Elections Alan Hays received Byrd\u2019s recount order Friday afternoon, as required under Florida law. His team had already begun sorting ballots in anticipation of the order. The required Logic and Accuracy test was completed Friday evening under canvassing board supervision.<\/p>\n
The recount happens on Saturday. The public is welcome to attend the recount at the Supervisor of Elections office at 1898 E Burleigh Blvd. in Tavares. Seating is limited.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am proud of the flexibility and passion that our team displays throughout an election. A recount requires the same level of precision and commitment as the election itself,\u201d said Hays.<\/p>\n
A 393-vote margin triggers the recount<\/p>\n
With 99% of votes counted, businessman Joe Strada leads former Lake County Property Appraiser Carey Baker by 393 votes \u2014 27,389 (33.5%) to 26,996 (33.0%) \u2014 out of 81,777 total votes cast in the five-person race. Florida law requires a machine recount when the margin falls at or below 0.5%. <\/p>\n
The other three candidates are not within recount territory: business owner Tim Wilkins received 20,811 votes (25.5%), brain surgeon Nizam Razack received 4,742 votes (5.8%), and veteran first responder Ivette Palomo received 1,839 votes (2.3%).<\/p>\n
If the machine recount tightens the gap to 0.25% or less, Florida law would trigger a manual hand recount. Under Florida Statute 102.166, a manual recount must be ordered if a candidate is defeated by one-quarter of a percent or less of the total votes cast. <\/p>\n
Open seat draws crowded field<\/p>\n
The race is to fill the seat being vacated by Rep. Dan Webster, who announced in April he would not seek reelection after representing the district since 2011. District 11 covers western Orange County, southern Lake County, Sumter County, and parts of Seminole and Polk counties. <\/p>\n
Webster, who turned 77 this spring, said in his announcement that \u201cthe time has come to pass the torch to the next conservative leader.\u201d<\/p>\n
The winner of the Republican primary will face Democrat James Pericola in the November general election.<\/p>\n
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