What to Know
- Under Florida law, any lead less than one half of a percentage point triggers an automatic recount of all votes.
- The issue of recounts in Florida came into the national spotlight during the 2000 election for President, when the results were delayed.
While Florida Gov. Rick Scott is claiming victory in the race for the United States Senate, the race may actually not be over thanks to state law and a razor-thin lead.
As of Wednesday morning, the Republican nominee Scott held a lead of just over 30,000 votes over his Democratic foe Bill Nelson out of the over 8.1 million votes from across the state – or around .42 of a percent.
Under Florida law, any lead less than one half of a percentage point triggers an automatic recount of all votes. If the margin of victory is under one quarter of a percentage point, a hand recount is ordered.
Counties have until Saturday to turn in their first set of unofficial returns. If the margin remains under 0.5 percent at that point, then Secretary of State Ken Detzner is required to order the recount.
The issue of recounts in Florida came into the national spotlight during the 2000 election for President, when the results were delayed for over a month across the state thanks to issues ranging from “hanging chads” on paper ballots to lawsuits and appeals that eventually went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court – which eventually ruled in favor of the campaign of eventual President George W. Bush.
No recount will be done in the race to replace Scott as Governor, where GOP nominee and former Rep. Ron DeSantis won by over 55,000 votes – or .68 of a percentage point – over his Democratic opponent, Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum.
