FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020
Contact: Kristen Schulze Muszynski
o: 626-8404/ c: 441-7638


Recounts of House District 96 & 98 rescheduled

AUGUSTA – The requested recounts in the Nov. 3, 2020 General Election are rescheduled to Friday, Nov. 20, 2020, Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap confirmed today.

The delay is necessitated due to an employee of the Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions testing positive for COVID-19. All offices on the fourth floor of the Burton M. Cross Building are closed today as crews clean the workspaces, and closure may extend through Friday, Nov. 13 as well.

The recounts, now slated for Friday, Nov. 20, will take place during regular business hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., beginning with House District 96 and then House District 98 at approximately 1:30 p.m. Both recounts are expected to be completed on Friday, Nov. 20. The recount process will take place in Room 103-A in the Burton M. Cross Office Building, adjacent to the State House in Augusta.

  • House District 96 includes the towns of Belmont, Liberty, Lincolnville, Montville, Morrill, Palermo and Searsmont. Unofficial results show Stanley Zeigler Jr. winning with a 1.14% lead over Katrina Smith. No deposit is required for this recount.
  • House District 98 includes the towns of Frankfort, Searsport, Swanville and Winterport. Unofficial results show Scott Cuddy winning with a 2.13% lead over Jessica Connor. Per Maine law, a $500 deposit is required for a recount with a margin above 1.5%.

The unofficial result tallies are below:


Office

District

Candidate (Party)

Unofficial
Nov. 3
Results

Representative, Maine House of Representatives

96

Katrina J. Smith (R)

Stanley Paige Zeigler Jr. (D)

2,907

2,974

Representative, Maine House of Representatives

98

Jessica T. Connor (R)

Scott William Cuddy (D)

2,597

2,710

Recounts are a public proceeding and spectators must wear face coverings and observe social distancing. In a recount, 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. Ballots are stored in a secure room until the recount has been completed. The ballots are stored in tamperproof metal containers and are closed with serialized security seals and padlocks. Recounts are not automatic; candidates must file a written request.