By Howard Fischer | Capitol Media Services via Arizona Capitol Times
Any losing candidate in the general election who is counting on an automatic recount needs to come close to winning.
Really close.
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In statewide races, there is a general law that requires a recount if the margin of votes between the two candidates is one-tenth of one percent. With perhaps 2.3 million votes already counted or yet to be tabulated in the race for U.S. Senate between Democrat Kyrsten Sinema and Republican Martha McSally, that would translate out to about 2,300.
But here’s the thing.
The same law says a recount is based on the lesser of that 0.1 percent or 200 votes. And given the number of votes cast statewide, it would be the 200 votes that would trigger a new count.
That same law applies to the race for school superintendent, though that contest does not appear close.
But the final tally in the race for secretary of state could come within that margin. In fact, at one point this week the difference was just 150 votes, with Democrat Katie Hobbs in the lead over Republican Steve Gaynor.
It could take days before the final tallies are in.
