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Polk County begins election recounts of about 247K ballots

Polk County Supervisor of Elections Lori Edwards said she expects the county to have the recounts completed by Thursday's state deadline.
Credit: WTSP
Polk County election workers on Monday, Nov. 12, 2018.

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – Polk County election officials on Monday joined the majority of Florida’s 67 counties by starting the recount process for midterm ballots to ensure accuracy for three major races with tight margins.

“There's a process in place in order to be sure that every vote counts, and you're seeing that play out, and it's not an instant thing,” said Polk County Supervisor of Elections Lori Edwards.

The Florida secretary of state ordered recounts in the U.S. Senate, commissioner of agriculture and governor races.

In the Senate race, Republican Gov. Rick Scott leads incumbent Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson by a narrow 0.15 percent.

Republican Ron DeSantis leads Democrat Andrew Gillum by 0.41 percent in the governor’s race.

Democrat Nikki Fried leads Republican Matt Caldwell by 0.06 percent in the agricultural commissioner’s race.

“A recount is not a bad thing. A recount is not a screw-up. A recount is nothing to make fun of or complain about,” Edwards said. “A recount is an intentional part of the process to get to the truth of a race in the instance of a very close race."

Edwards said Polk County officials will process about 247,000 ballots, and expects to have them all completed by Thursday’s state deadline for the second set of unofficial returns. She added she does not expect major differences in outcomes in the races.

Two Polk County sheriff’s deputies, one from each political party, have been appointed to monitor the recount process. In addition to the canvassing board and the supervisor of elections, representatives from each party and each campaign are also allowed in the recount room.

Related: Who is Brenda Snipes, the Broward County supervisor of elections?

Previous: Rick Scott wants voting equipment impounded until the end of Broward County's recounts

Emerald Morrow is a reporter with 10News WTSP. Like her on Facebook and follow her on Twitter. You can also email her at emorrow@wtsp.com.

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