date changed due to positive covid-19 case

UPDATED: Ballot recounts in House District 96, 98 races scheduled for Nov. 20

Thu, 11/12/2020 - 1:30pm
    AUGUSTA — The requested recounts in the November General Election will take place Friday, Nov. 20, Maine Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap announced with the two state legislative races needing recounts involving Waldo County towns.
     
    The recount was originally to be held Nov. 13 but a postponement was needed amid a positive COVID-19 case. 
     
    “The delay is necessitated due to an employee of the Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions testing positive for COVID-19,” a news release stated. “All offices on the fourth floor of the Burton M. Cross Building are closed [Nov. 12] as crews clean the workspaces, and closure may extend through Friday, Nov. 13 as well.”
     
    The recounts 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%.
     
    Link to the unofficial result tallies can be found by clicking here

    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.
     
    Couriers will begin ballot retrieval today, Nov. 10, and ballots will be 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.
     
    For more on the recount process, click here