FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kristen Schulze Muszynski
207-626-8404
Monday, November 10, 2014

Secretary of State Matt Dunlap Announces Three Ballot Recounts

AUGUSTA — Three State Senate candidates have submitted requests for recounts of the ballots cast on November 4, in their respective races.

The requests are in Senate District 11 (Waldo County), Jonathan Fulford vs. Michael Thibodeau; Senate District 21 (City of Lewiston) Nathan Libby vs. Patricia Gagne; and Senate District 25 (part of Cumberland County) Catherine Breen vs. Cathleen Manchester.

All of the recounts will take place at 9 a.m. in the Florian Room of the Department of Public Safety Building, 45 Commerce Drive in Augusta. The Senate 11 recount is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 14; the Senate 21 recount is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 17; and the Senate 25 recount is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 18.

Recounts are requested based upon the unofficial preliminary results. All recount requests must be made by Wednesday, Nov. 12 at 5 p.m.

Recounts are a public proceeding. In a recount, the representatives of each candidate and staff members from the Department of the Secretary of State manually review each ballot to determine the official vote tally.

State law requires the State Police to collect the ballots for the recounts and keep them in a secure State Police facility until the recounts have been completed. The ballots are stored in tamperproof metal containers and are closed with specially numbered security seals and locks.

If a recount produces enough disputed ballots to affect the outcome of the election, the Maine State Senate would determine which candidate to seat in State Senate races. The Maine House of Representatives would determine which candidate to seat in House races. The Supreme Judicial Court would make a determination in county races and in statewide referenda.