(09/20/10) Nearly a week since the primaries, it's still not clear whose name will be on the Republican line in a high-profile North Country Congressional race.
An initial tally of votes in the 23rd district put Matt Doheny ahead by more than 500 votes. Doug Hoffman, already on the Conservative line, says at least 1900 military and absentee ballots still need to be counted.
As Jonathan Brown reports, a final, certified vote count isn't expected until later this week.
Despite using electronic ballot readers that can tally votes with the touch of a button, a final count won’t be certified until later this week. Franklin County election commissioner Kathy Fleury says her office—like every elections board across the district—has to accept ballots mailed within seven days after a primary. Then, she says, final counting will begin:
"We will go through district by district, town by town and do that. It’s a two-day process. Then, we’ll certify the election. So, we will be certified by the 23rd of September."
But a lot has to happen between now and then.
Essex County alone will count between 250 and 300 absentee and military ballots. Election inspectors have to make sure each voter is registered but did not cast a
ballot in person during the primary.
But simply declaring a winner may not be the end of the political battle between Matt Doheny and Doug Hoffman. The certified results could be challenged. And before last Tuesday’s vote, Hoffman said—even if he lost the Republican primary—he would stay on the Conservative line and campaign through the general election on Nov. 2nd.
When results are announced Thursday, the winner will have six weeks to campaign against Democratic incumbent Bill Owens.
Comment on this story
