12th House District election recount possible, voters can request it themselves
While the Butler County Bureau of Elections is assessing whether a recount will be required by the narrow margin of votes in the 12th House District special election, voters are able to request recounts themselves.
The unofficial election night results showed Democrat Brandon Dukes leading Republican Scott Timko by 88 votes with 73 provisional ballots to be counted.
Dukes received 8,434 votes — about 50.1%, and Timko received 8,346 — about 49.6%.
The margin within half a percent would trigger a mandatory recount in primary and general elections, according to Pennsylvania Election Code, but there’s little guidance on whether the mandatory recount also applies to special elections, according to election bureau director Chantell McCurdy.
Regardless if a mandatory recount is issued, Pennsylvania Election Code allows voters to request a recount in their precinct, if they believe there has been an error. Three voters from the same precinct must file a petition with a $50 fee for votes in their precinct to be recounted.
The three voters do not have to specify where they believe the error occurred or offer evidence, according to election code. According to Votebeat, a nonpartisan outlet that claims to have a wide range of donors, critics worry the law allows for the weaponization of precinct-level recounts to delay certification.
If there are no recounts or challenges, the earliest the election results may be finalized is next Thursday, Aug. 27.
