Wisconsin election recounts and close races; here's what we know
Wisconsin elections: What is the recount procedure?
The Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor is too close to call, with Francesca Hong and David Crowley neck and neck. The winner will face Republican Tom Tiffany in November. UWM Professor Mordecai Lee explains Wisconsin's recount procedure.
MILWAUKEE - In the Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor, David Crowley narrowly defeated Francesca Hong as the neck-and-neck race's vote tally stretched from Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.
The Associated Press projected Crowley's victory. The unofficial total had Crowley beating Hong by less than a percentage point, close enough that a recount could be conducted.
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"The next time somebody tells a reporter, 'Oh, my vote doesn't count,' I think we should talk about tonight. Tonight is an indication where every vote counts," political expert Mordecai Lee, a University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee professor emeritus, said Tuesday night with the race too close to call.
Here are some key points to know about election recounts and how they work in Wisconsin.
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What is a recount?
What we know:
A recount is when vote totals are re-tabulated to verify the accuracy of unofficial election results, according to Ballotpedia, a nonpartisan nonprofit organization that curates political information. A recount typically happens in close races.
Are recounts automatic?
Local perspective:
There is no automatic recount in Wisconsin, according to the state's elections commission, even if the unofficial results are extremely close.
How does a recount work?
Dig deeper:
Any aggrieved candidate, typically the one who loses in the unofficial results, can petition for a recount of an election. That candidate must meet the deadline to file a verified petition and pay any applicable fee.
If the discrepancy between the unofficial winner and loser is not more than 0.25% of total votes cast, the petitioner is not required to pay a fee. If the discrepancy is greater, Lee said the cost to request a recount can exceed $1 million.
Editor's note: This story was updated with new information.
The Source: Information in this story is from the Wisconsin Elections Commission, citing state statute, and FOX6 News interviews with political expert Mordecai Lee.