Posted on 11/17/2009 4:42:50 PM PST by deport
Doug Hoffman picks up 20 votes so far in 23rd Congressional District recanvass
By Mark Weiner / The Post-Standard
November 17, 2009, 7:25PM
Washington, D.c. -- Conservative candidate Doug Hoffman picked up a net gain of 20 votes Tuesday — far from what he needs to win — as the count of absentee ballots began in the 23rd Congressional District.
Hoffman received the tiny boost after Madison, Oneida and Hamilton counties said they finished counting their absentee ballots Tuesday. The majority of the sprawling district – eight other counties – will finish the process this week. But if early returns are an indication, Hoffman will have a tough time making up a 3,000-vote deficit to Democrat Bill Owens.
At the end of the day Tuesday, Owens still had a lead of 3,006 votes. The last unofficial returns reported by counties to the state Board of Elections on Nov. 5 had Owens leading by 3,026 votes, 66,698 to 63,672. Based on that lead Owens was sworn into Congress on Nov. 6.
About 10,200 absentee ballots were requested in the race, and about 7,000 had been returned by Monday’s final deadline for military and overseas ballots. So far, Hoffman has not captured the large majority of those ballots to erase the election night lead of Owens.
In what could be a bad sign for the Hoffman campaign, the Lake Placid accountant ended up with a net loss of 23 votes to Owens after absentee ballots were counted Tuesday in Madison County – one of Hoffman’s strongholds. (Hoffman still won the county, 9,155 to 8,290 over Owens.)
Hoffman’s campaign managers said Tuesday they will continue to watch this week’s absentee count before deciding whether to contest the results.
The campaign said Hoffman is not “un-conceding” the race, contrary to what the candidate said Monday when pressed by Glenn Beck on his national talk radio show. “What really matters is the count that is taking place today,” said Rob Ryan, Hoffman’s spokesman. “When we see the direction that is taking, we will make the decision.”
Ryan added, “There has been no formal action to contest the vote, and depending on how the absentee count turns out we will decide how to proceed.”
The count of absentee ballots began Tuesday, a day after the deadline for military and overseas ballots to be received in the 11-county district. Routine recanvassing after the Nov. 3 election showed that Owens had a narrowing lead, down from about 5,335 votes election night to 3,026 votes, according to the state Board of Elections.
The biggest difference was in Oswego County, where a series of errors led to an undercount in Oswego County of more than 1,200 votes for Hoffman.
Since then, Hoffman has said he might have taken more time on election night before conceding. Beck asked Hoffman Monday if he was “officially un-conceding” the race, Hoffman responded, “If that’s possible, yes.”
If he decides to formally contest the results, that could lead to a recount throughout the 23rd District.
Washington correspondent Mark Weiner can be reached at mweiner@syracuse.com or 571-970-3751.
He needs very much more, no?
Hanging Chad! Dimpled chad! Pregnant chad! Pile of chad!!!!!
“...ended up with a net loss of 23 votes to Owens after absentee ballots were counted Tuesday in Madison County...”
So, he has already come to and crossed that bridge?
Should be the “Syracuse Sub-Standard”
Recount!!!!
>> But if early returns are an indication, Hoffman will have a tough time making up a 3,000-vote deficit to Democrat Bill Owens.
I think it’s doubtful he’ll pick up enough to reverse the apparent outcome.
But I think it’s still a smart strategy to garner some PR, and a perception that the race WAS really close, by insisting on an accurate count (without going over the top a la Algore).
After all, 2010 is less than a year away...
What percent gap triggers an automatic recount in NY?
What percent gap triggers an automatic recount in NY?
I have no idea...... not familiar with NY election statutes.
The problem with the absentee ballots coming from overseas had to be cast before RINO DeDe wahtshername pulled out of the race.
“What percent gap triggers an automatic recount in NY?”
A Dem loss...Reps can go sht in their hats...
The problem with the absentee ballots coming from overseas had to be cast before RINO DeDe wahtshername pulled out of the race.
Many were I’m sure. In some earlier article I read Hoffman’s mgr [Ryan maybe] was touting the need for a 3 way race for him to have a good chance. So based upon that assertion that would play into his hands. I doubt the absentees will break much differently than the actual vote on election day.
I don’t think many Freepers caught the Bridges of Madison County allusion!
There have been more than 20 threads about Hoffman un-conceding
He needs 65% of the absentee ballots. Not likely.
Meh, let Owens have the seat for this congressional cycle. If the RNC learned a lesson from this it’s worth having to go against a semi-incumbent Dem in ‘10. He should be able to beat him then. That DeDe woman was a real lemon.
20 votes?
There have been more than 20 threads about Hoffman un-conceding
Yep if threads were vote Hoffman would have won in a landslide. I think the unconceding thing got blown out of proportion form his attempt to put it in perspective on the Beck show.
The numbers are just not there for Hoffman.
Hoffman is a shoe in after this recount!
All he has to do is become a Democrat and chum up to Al Franken.
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