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Noteworthy recounts in the United States
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| Select a state from the menu below to learn more about its election administration. |
An election recount is a process by which votes cast in an election are re-tabulated to verify the accuracy of the original results. Recounts typically occur in the event of a close margin of victory, following accusations of election fraud, or due to the possibility of administrative errors. Recounts can either occur automatically or be requested by a candidate or voters. As of April 2024, 27 states had a statutory provision allowing for automatic recounts, and 43 states had a statutory provision allowing for requested recounts. To read more about recount laws across the country, click here.
Recounts can happen in races at any level, from local offices up to presidential elections. In the case of presidential elections, however, recounts are carried out at the state level rather than nationally.
According to a report published by FairVote, 31 recounts occurred in statewide elections between 2000 and 2019. Of those, 16 were held when the original margin of victory was of 0.15 percent or less. Three of the 31 recounts resulted in a reversal of the original election result.
On this page, you will find coverage of:
- Statistics and trends: What are the overall trends for recounts in recent years? Take a deeper dive into the numbers.
- Noteworthy recounts: The most interesting recounts that have taken place, covered on Ballotpedia or otherwise.[1]
- State-specific laws: Learn how each state handles recounts within its jurisdiction.
Data about recounts
From 2000 to 2019, there were 31 recounts in statewide races across the country. Of those 31, there were three that resulted in a change of the election result. The average vote shift across all 31 recounts was 430 votes, which accounted for 0.024 percent of the vote in those races. This data comes from a report released by FairVote in November 2020 authored by Deb Otis, Declan Alvidrez, and Austin Bartola. To read the full report, click here. Highlights of their report are summarized below.
- The report analyzed 5,778 statewide general elections from 2000 to 2019, and found that recounts occurred 31 times (0.54 percent). Of these 31, the report identified 16 as consequential, which was defined as having an original margin of victory of 0.15 percent or less.
- The report identified three instances where a consequential recount resulted in a result reversal: U.S. Senate in 2008 in Minnesota, auditor in 2006 in Vermont, and governor in 2004 in Washington.
- The average shift across all recounts was 430 votes, which accounted for 0.024 percent of the statewide vote in those races.
| Statewide recount statistics (2000 to 2019) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Event | Number | Percent |
| Election | 5,778 | 100% |
| Recount | 31 | 0.54% |
| Consequential recount[2] | 16 | 0.28% |
| Result reversal | 3 | 0.052% |
The table below lists the three recounts that resulted in reversals of the initial election result. In each case, a Democratic candidate overcame an initial vote deficit to defeat the Republican candidate. The three recounts averaged a vote swing of 393 votes.
| Recounts resulting in a reversal (2000 to 2019) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Event | Winning candidate | Initial margin | Recount margin | Vote swing |
| U.S. Senate in Minnesota, 2008 | Al Franken (D) | -215 | +225 | 440 |
| Vermont State Auditor, 2006 | Thomas Salmon (D) | -102 | +239 | 349 |
| Governor of Washington, 2004 | Christine Gregoire (D) | -261 | +129 | 390 |
Noteworthy recounts by year
Click on the tabs below to view noteworthy recounts that have occurred in that specific year.
2024
United States Senate election in Pennsylvania, 2024
On Nov. 13, 2024, Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt (R) announced that the unofficial results to the Nov. 5 general election triggered a legally required statewide recount. According to that announcement, Casey and McCormick received vote totals within one-half of one percentage point, requiring the recount.[3] As of the announcement, Casey had received 3,350,972 votes or 48.5% and McCormick received 3,380,310 votes, or 48.9%, according to the Pennsylvania Department of State. [3]
After Election Day, the Casey and McCormick campaigns clashed over several issues including the counting of provisional and undated or wrongly dated mail-in ballots.[4] The Casey campaign and allies challenged several county boards' of elections decisions not to count certain provisional ballots, while the McCormick campaign and allies filed several lawsuits to prevent the counting of mail-in ballots with incorrect date information.[4]
The Department of State called off the recount after Casey conceded to McCormick on Nov. 21.[5][6]
California's 16th Congressional District top-two primary
Based on the certified results in this race, Evan Low (D) and Joe Simitian (D) tied for second place with 30,249 votes each. At the time of the election, California law did not require an automatic recount. Under the state's top-two primary system, both Low and Simitian would advance to the November 5 general election alongside Sam Liccardo (D), who finished with 38,489 votes.[7]
On April 9, a voter named Jonathan Padilla requested a recount. The recount was initially estimated to cost $320,000 and last 10 days. Padilla paid a deposit in order to begin the recount.[7]
On May 1, the recount concluded. Low beat Simitian by five votes.[8]
Virginia's 5th Congressional District Republican primary
Based on the certified results in this race, John McGuire (R) defeated incumbent Rep. Bob Good (R) by 374 votes. At the time of the election, Virginia law allowed Good to request a recount because the initial vote margin was within 1% of the total vote. Goochland County Circuit Court Judge Claude Worrell II ordered a recount on July 18.
The recount lasted for the duration of August 1. Based on final results, McGuire defeated Good by 370 votes.[9]
Arizona's 3rd Congressional District Democratic primary
Based on the certified results in this race, Yassamin Ansari (D) defeated Raquel Terán (D) by 42 votes.[10] Arizona law, automatic recounts are required if a candidate or measure is defeated by less than or equal to 0.5% of the total votes cast. On August 12, Secretary of State Adrian Fontes petitioned the Maricopa County Superior Court for a recount of election results, and Judge Jennifer Ryan-Touhill ordered a recount of election results.[9]
The recount took place from August 16 to August 19.[11] Based on final results, Ansari defeated Terán by 39 votes.[9]
North Carolina Supreme Court elections, 2024
On May 7, 2025, Griffin conceded the election, ending all recounts and legal challenges to the outcome.[12]
Click below for a timeline of the recount and lawsuits filed.
- May 7, 2025
Griffin conceded the election. [12]
- May 5, 2025
Judge Richard Myers orders the Board of Elections to certify the election, but gives Griffin a week to appeal the decision. [13]
- April 22, 2025
The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a temporary block of the state supreme court's ruling on the 30-day curing process.[14]
- April 15, 2025
The State Board of Elections filed in federal court, saying that the number of ballots which were affected by the state court's decision was 1,675 votes.[15]
- April 14, 2025
The League of Women Voters filed a lawsuit in the Eastern District of North Carolina to prevent the State Board of Elections from removing military voters from the results.[16]
Recount laws in North Carolina
- See also: Recount laws in North Carolina
The list below shows answers to common questions regarding recounts in North Carolina.[51]
- Does state law require automatic recounts?
- Yes, if election officials discover a substantial error while conducting a random-sample partial recount as part of a requested recount. The specific circumstances can be found below.
- When must an automatic recount be completed?
- No set deadline.
- Can a recount be requested?
- Yes, in the event of specific close vote margins, described below. The deadline to request a recount for offices governed by the state board of elections is no later than 12:00 p.m. on the second business day after the canvass. For races governed by a county board of elections, the deadline is no later than 5:00 p.m. on the first business day after the canvass. There is no deadline for completion.
- Who pays for a requested recount?
- There is no mention in state law, but the general practice is that the state covers the cost of a requested recount.[52]
- Is a refund available for requested recount costs?
- Not applicable. The state covers the cost of requested recounts.
- Can a partial recount be requested?
- No.
Requested recount procedures
North Carolina allows candidates to request a recount under the following circumstances:[53]
- Races governed by a county board of elections:
- Single-seat elections: if the difference between the votes for the requester and the winning candidate is less than or equal to 1% of the total votes cast in the election.
- Multi-seat elections: if the difference is less than or equal to 1% of the votes cast for the two winning candidates.
- The deadline to request such recounts is no later than 5:00 p.m. on the first business day after the canvass.
- Races governed by the state board of elections:
- Statewide elections: if the difference between the votes for the requester and the winning candidate is less than or equal to 10,000 votes or 0.5% of the votes cast, whichever is less.
- Non-statewide elections: if the difference is less than or equal to 1% of the votes cast for single-seat elections or 1% of the votes for the two winning candidates for multi-seat elections.
- The deadline to request such recounts is no later than 12:00 p.m on the second business day after the canvass.
Voting information
- See also: Voting in North Carolina
Candidate comparison
Candidate profiles
This section includes candidate profiles that may be created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff may compile a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy. For more on how we select candidates to include, click here.
Party: Democratic Party
Incumbent: Yes
Political Office:
- Supreme Court of North Carolina (Assumed office: 2023)
- North Carolina Court of Appeals (2023)
Biography: Riggs received a bachelor's degree in microbiology, a master's degree in history, and a law degree from the University of Florida. Before she was appointed to the North Carolina Court of Appeals, Riggs worked as a voting rights attorney for the Southern Coalition for Social Justice.
Show sources
Sources: The Raleigh News & Observer, "‘Candidate for NC Supreme Court, Democrat Allison Riggs, answers our questions," September 25, 2024; The Raleigh News & Observer, "Candidate for NC Supreme Court, Democrat Allison Riggs, answers our questions," February 11, 2024; The Rocky Mount Telegram, "Appointed justice seeks election to NC Supreme Court seat," February 14, 2024; LinkedIn, Allison Riggs," accessed September 18, 2024
This information was current as of the candidate's run for North Carolina Supreme Court in 2024.
Party: Republican Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office:
- North Carolina Court of Appeals (Assumed office: 2021)
Biography: Griffin received a bachelor's degree in history from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a law degree from North Carolina Central University. He previously worked as an attorney, a district attorney for Wake County, a district court judge, and a Captain in the North Carolina National Guard.
Show sources
Sources: North State Journal, "Jefferson Griffin looks to join Republican majority on NC Supreme Court," July 20, 2023; Jefferson Griffin 2024 campaign website , "Judge Griffin's Judicial Philosophy," accessed September 18, 2024; The Raleigh News & Observer, "‘The power levers in our state’ run through its courts. Your choices for NC’s next justice," September 4, 2024; LinkedIn, "Jefferson Griffin," accessed September 18, 2024
This information was current as of the candidate's run for North Carolina Supreme Court in 2024.
Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses
Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
No candidate in this race completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.
Campaign ads
Allison Riggs
Jefferson Griffin
Ballotpedia did not come across any campaign ads for Jefferson Griffin while conducting research on this election. If you are aware of any ads that should be included, please email us.
Endorsements
Click the links below to see official endorsement lists published on candidate campaign websites for any candidates that make that information available. If you are aware of a website that should be included, please email us.
Past election results
2022
The terms of two North Carolina Supreme Court justices expired on December 31, 2022. The two seats were up for partisan election on November 8, 2022.
Candidates and results
Seat 3: Hudson vacancy
General election
General election for North Carolina Supreme Court
Richard Dietz defeated Lucy N. Inman in the general election for North Carolina Supreme Court on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Richard Dietz (R) | 52.4 | 1,965,840 |
 | Lucy N. Inman (D)  | 47.6 | 1,786,650 | |
| Total votes: 3,752,490 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Lucy N. Inman advanced from the Democratic primary for North Carolina Supreme Court.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Richard Dietz advanced from the Republican primary for North Carolina Supreme Court.
Seat 5: Ervin's seat
General election
General election for North Carolina Supreme Court
Trey Allen defeated incumbent Sam Ervin IV in the general election for North Carolina Supreme Court on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Trey Allen (R) | 52.2 | 1,957,440 |
 | Sam Ervin IV (D) | 47.8 | 1,792,873 | |
| Total votes: 3,750,313 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Sam Ervin IV advanced from the Democratic primary for North Carolina Supreme Court.
Republican primary election
Republican primary for North Carolina Supreme Court
Trey Allen defeated April C. Wood and Victoria Prince in the Republican primary for North Carolina Supreme Court on May 17, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Trey Allen | 55.4 | 385,124 |
 | April C. Wood | 36.3 | 252,504 | |
| Victoria Prince | 8.3 | 57,672 | ||
| Total votes: 695,300 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Justices not on the ballot
- Robin Hudson (D)
2020
The terms of three North Carolina Supreme Court justices expired on December 31, 2020. The three seats were up for partisan election on November 3, 2020.
Candidates and election results
Chief justice: Beasley's seat
General election
General election for North Carolina Supreme Court
Paul Martin Newby defeated incumbent Cheri Beasley in the general election for North Carolina Supreme Court on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Paul Martin Newby (R) | 50.0 | 2,695,951 |
 | Cheri Beasley (D) | 50.0 | 2,695,550 | |
| Total votes: 5,391,501 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Cheri Beasley advanced from the Democratic primary for North Carolina Supreme Court.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Paul Martin Newby advanced from the Republican primary for North Carolina Supreme Court.
Seat 2: Newby's seat
General election
General election for North Carolina Supreme Court
Phil Berger Jr. defeated Lucy N. Inman in the general election for North Carolina Supreme Court on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Phil Berger Jr. (R) | 50.7 | 2,723,704 |
| Lucy N. Inman (D) | 49.3 | 2,652,187 | |
| Total votes: 5,375,891 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Lucy N. Inman advanced from the Democratic primary for North Carolina Supreme Court.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Phil Berger Jr. advanced from the Republican primary for North Carolina Supreme Court.
Seat 4: Davis' seat
General election
General election for North Carolina Supreme Court
Tamara Barringer defeated incumbent Mark A. Davis in the general election for North Carolina Supreme Court on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Tamara Barringer (R) | 51.2 | 2,746,362 |
 | Mark A. Davis (D) | 48.8 | 2,616,265 | |
| Total votes: 5,362,627 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Mark A. Davis advanced from the Democratic primary for North Carolina Supreme Court.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Tamara Barringer advanced from the Republican primary for North Carolina Supreme Court.
2018
The term of one North Carolina Supreme Court justice expired on December 31, 2018. Incumbent Barbara Jackson (R) stood for partisan election on November 6, 2018. Anita Earls (D) defeated Jackson and Chris Anglin (R) to win the position.
Candidates and results
Seat 1: Jackson's seat
General election
General election for North Carolina Supreme Court
Anita Earls defeated incumbent Barbara Jackson and Chris Anglin in the general election for North Carolina Supreme Court on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Anita Earls (D) | 49.6 | 1,812,751 |
 | Barbara Jackson (R) | 34.1 | 1,246,263 | |
 | Chris Anglin (R) | 16.4 | 598,753 | |
| Total votes: 3,657,767 (100.00% precincts reporting) | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Election spending
Campaign finance
- See also: Campaign finance
The section and tables below contain data from financial reports submitted to state agencies. The data is gathered and made available by Transparency USA.
Satellite spending
- See also: Satellite spending
Satellite spending describes political spending not controlled by candidates or their campaigns; that is, any political expenditures made by groups or individuals that are not directly affiliated with a candidate. This includes spending by political party committees, super PACs, trade associations, and 501(c)(4) nonprofit groups.[54][55][56]
If available, this section includes links to online resources tracking satellite spending in this election. To notify us of a resource to add, email us.
Election analysis
Click the tabs below to view information about demographics, past elections, and partisan control of the state.
- Presidential elections - Information about presidential elections in the state.
- Statewide elections - Information about recent U.S. Senate and gubernatorial elections in the state.
- State partisanship - The partisan makeup of the state's congressional delegation and state government.
- Demographics - Information about the state's demographics and how they compare to the country as a whole.
Cook PVI by congressional district
| Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index for North Carolina, 2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| District | Incumbent | Party | PVI |
| North Carolina's 1st | Donald Davis |  Democratic |
R+1 |
| North Carolina's 2nd | Deborah Ross | Democratic |
D+15 |
| North Carolina's 3rd | Gregory Murphy |  Republican |
R+11 |
| North Carolina's 4th | Valerie Foushee | Democratic |
D+21 |
| North Carolina's 5th | Virginia Foxx | Republican |
R+10 |
| North Carolina's 6th | Kathy Manning | Democratic |
R+11 |
| North Carolina's 7th | David Rouzer | Republican |
R+8 |
| North Carolina's 8th | Dan Bishop | Republican |
R+11 |
| North Carolina's 9th | Richard Hudson | Republican |
R+9 |
| North Carolina's 10th | Patrick McHenry | Republican |
R+10 |
| North Carolina's 11th | Chuck Edwards | Republican |
R+8 |
| North Carolina's 12th | Alma Adams | Democratic |
D+23 |
| North Carolina's 13th | Wiley Nickel | Democratic |
R+11 |
| North Carolina's 14th | Jeff Jackson | Democratic |
R+11 |
2020 presidential results by 2024 congressional district lines
| 2020 presidential results in congressional districts based on 2024 district lines, North Carolina[57] | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| District | Joe Biden
|
Donald Trump
| ||
| North Carolina's 1st | 50.4% | 48.8% | ||
| North Carolina's 2nd | 66.9% | 31.5% | ||
| North Carolina's 3rd | 40.7% | 58.0% | ||
| North Carolina's 4th | 72.4% | 26.2% | ||
| North Carolina's 5th | 41.8% | 57.2% | ||
| North Carolina's 6th | 41.2% | 57.5% | ||
| North Carolina's 7th | 43.9% | 54.9% | ||
| North Carolina's 8th | 40.6% | 58.3% | ||
| North Carolina's 9th | 42.4% | 56.3% | ||
| North Carolina's 10th | 41.4% | 57.4% | ||
| North Carolina's 11th | 43.8% | 54.8% | ||
| North Carolina's 12th | 74.4% | 24.2% | ||
| North Carolina's 13th | 40.7% | 57.9% | ||
| North Carolina's 14th | 41.4% | 57.5% | ||
2012-2020
How a state's counties vote in a presidential election and the size of those counties can provide additional insights into election outcomes at other levels of government including statewide and congressional races. Below, four categories are used to describe each county's voting pattern over the 2012, 2016, and 2020 presidential elections: Solid, Trending, Battleground, and New. Click [show] on the table below for examples:
| County-level voting pattern categories | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | |||||||
| Status | 2012 | 2016 | 2020 | ||||
| Solid Democratic | D | D | D | ||||
| Trending Democratic | R | D | D | ||||
| Battleground Democratic | D | R | D | ||||
| New Democratic | R | R | D | ||||
| Republican | |||||||
| Status | 2012 | 2016 | 2020 | ||||
| Solid Republican | R | R | R | ||||
| Trending Republican | D | R | R | ||||
| Battleground Republican | R | D | R | ||||
| New Republican | D | D | R | ||||
Following the 2020 presidential election, 47.1% of North Carolinians lived in one of the state's 22 Solid Democratic counties, which voted for the Democratic presidential candidate in every election from 2012 to 2020, and 46.3% lived in one of 68 Solid Republican counties. Overall, North Carolina was Solid Republican, having voted for Mitt Romney (R) in 2012, Donald Trump (R) in 2016, and Donald Trump (R) in 2020. Use the table below to view the total number of each type of county in North Carolina following the 2020 election as well as the overall percentage of the state population located in each county type.
| North Carolina county-level statistics, 2020 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solid Democratic | 22 | 47.1% | |||||
| Solid Republican | 68 | 46.3% | |||||
| Trending Republican | 6 | 2.7% | |||||
| New Democratic | 1 | 2.2% | |||||
| Battleground Democratic | 1 | 0.9% | |||||
| Trending Democratic | 1 | 0.5% | |||||
| New Republican | 1 | 0.3% | |||||
| Total voted Democratic | 25 | 50.7% | |||||
| Total voted Republican | 75 | 49.3% | |||||
Historical voting trends
North Carolina presidential election results (1900-2020)
- 18 Democratic wins
- 13 Republican wins
| Year | 1900 | 1904 | 1908 | 1912 | 1916 | 1920 | 1924 | 1928 | 1932 | 1936 | 1940 | 1944 | 1948 | 1952 | 1956 | 1960 | 1964 | 1968 | 1972 | 1976 | 1980 | 1984 | 1988 | 1992 | 1996 | 2000 | 2004 | 2008 | 2012 | 2016 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winning Party | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | R | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | R | R | D | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | D | R | R | R |
This section details the results of the five most recent U.S. Senate and gubernatorial elections held in the state.
U.S. Senate elections
The table below details the vote in the five most recent U.S. Senate races in North Carolina.
| U.S. Senate election results in North Carolina | ||
|---|---|---|
| Race | Winner | Runner up |
| 2022 | 50.5% |
47.3%
|
| 2020 | 48.7% |
46.9%
|
| 2016 | 51.1% |
45.3%
|
| 2014 | 48.8% |
47.3%
|
| 2010 | 55.0% |
42.9%
|
| Average | 51.3 | 45.3 |
Gubernatorial elections
- See also: Governor of North Carolina
The table below details the vote in the five most recent gubernatorial elections in North Carolina.
| Gubernatorial election results in North Carolina | ||
|---|---|---|
| Race | Winner | Runner up |
| 2020 | 51.5% |
47.0%
|
| 2016 | 49.0% |
48.8%
|
| 2012 | 54.6% |
43.2%
|
| 2008 | 50.3% |
46.9%
|
| 2004 | 55.6% |
42.9%
|
| Average | 52.2 | 45.8 |
Congressional delegation
The table below displays the partisan composition of North Carolina's congressional delegation as of May 2024.
| Congressional Partisan Breakdown from North Carolina | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | U.S. Senate | U.S. House | Total |
| Democratic | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Republican | 2 | 10 | 12 |
| Independent | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vacancies | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 2 | 14 | 16 |
State executive
The table below displays the officeholders in North Carolina's top four state executive offices as of May 2024.
| State executive officials in North Carolina, May 2024 | |
|---|---|
| Office | Officeholder |
| Governor | Roy Cooper
|
| Lieutenant Governor | Mark Robinson
|
| Secretary of State | Elaine Marshall
|
| Attorney General | Josh Stein
|
State legislature
North Carolina State Senate
| Party | As of February 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 20 | |
| Republican Party | 30 | |
| Other | 0 | |
| Vacancies | 0 | |
| Total | 50 | |
North Carolina House of Representatives
| Party | As of February 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 48 | |
| Republican Party | 72 | |
| Other | 0 | |
| Vacancies | 0 | |
| Total | 120 | |
Trifecta control
The table below shows the state's trifecta status from 1992 until the 2024 election.
North Carolina Party Control: 1992-2024
Fourteen years of Democratic trifectas • Four years of Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.
| Year | 92 | 93 | 94 | 95 | 96 | 97 | 98 | 99 | 00 | 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Governor | R | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | R | R | R | R | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D |
| Senate | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R |
| House | D | D | D | R | R | R | R | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R |
The table below details demographic data in North Carolina and compares it to the broader United States as of 2022.
| Demographic Data for North Carolina | ||
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | United States | |
| Population | 10,439,388 | 331,449,281 |
| Land area (sq mi) | 48,623 | 3,531,905 |
| Race and ethnicity** | ||
| White | 65% | 65.9% |
| Black/African American | 20.9% | 12.5% |
| Asian | 3.1% | 5.8% |
| Native American | 1% | 0.8% |
| Pacific Islander | 0.1% | 0.2% |
| Other (single race) | 4% | 6% |
| Multiple | 5.9% | 8.8% |
| Hispanic/Latino | 10% | 18.7% |
| Education | ||
| High school graduation rate | 89.4% | 89.1% |
| College graduation rate | 33.9% | 34.3% |
| Income | ||
| Median household income | $66,186 | $75,149 |
| Persons below poverty level | 9.5% | 8.8% |
| Source: population provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "Decennial Census" (2020). Other figures provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2017-2022). | ||
| **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here. | ||
About the North Carolina Supreme Court
- See also: North Carolina Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of North Carolina is the state's highest appellate court and is located in Raleigh, North Carolina. The court consists of six associate justices and one chief justice, although the number of justices has varied from time to time.
Political composition
This was the political composition of the court heading into the 2024 election.
| ■ Trey Allen | Elected in 2022 | |
| ■ Tamara Barringer | Elected in 2020 | |
| ■ Phil Berger Jr. | Elected in 2020 | |
| ■ Richard Dietz | Elected in 2022 | |
| ■ Anita Earls | Elected in 2018 | |
| ■ Paul Martin Newby | Elected in 2004, 2012, and 2020 | |
| ■ Allison Riggs | Appointed by Gov. Roy Cooper (D) in 2023 |
Selection
- See also: Judicial selection in North Carolina
Each of the seven justices on the North Carolina Supreme Court serves terms of eight years. In the case of a vacancy, the governor appoints a successor to serve until the next general election which is held more than 60 days after the vacancy occurs. An election is then held for a full eight-year term.[58][59]
Qualifications
To serve on this court, a person must be licensed to practice law in North Carolina. There is a mandatory retirement age of 72 years.[60]
2024 battleground elections
- See also: Battlegrounds
This was a battleground election. Other 2024 battleground elections included:
- Maryland's 5th Congressional District election, 2024 (May 14 Democratic primary)
- New York's 22nd Congressional District election, 2024 (June 25 Democratic primary)
- Washington's 4th Congressional District election, 2024 (August 6 top-two primary)
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ These are selected by Ballotpedia staff based on the type of office up for election, how close the initial election result was, and the recounts' potential impact on partisan control of an office or legislative body.
- ↑ Original margin of victory of 0.15 percent or less.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedpagov - ↑ 4.0 4.1 The Philadelphia Inquirer, "Pennsylvania’s Senate race is now playing out in county board rooms and the courtroom" November 15, 2024
- ↑ X,"Bob Casey Jr.," November 21, 2024
- ↑ Spotlight PA, "Pennsylvania calls off recount in U.S. Senate race after Casey concedes to McCormick," November 22, 2024
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Politico, "Tied California House race heading to a recount," April 9, 2024
- ↑ The Mercury News, "Congressional recount: Evan Low heads to November election as Joe Simitian is knocked off the ballot" May 1, 2024
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Cardinal News, "5th District recount confirms McGuire’s victory over Good," August 1, 2204 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "Recount Results" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid<ref>tag; name "Recount Results" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ Mericopa County Voter Registration and Elections, "Board of Supervisors Canvasses Maricopa County 2024 Primary Election Results," August 12, 2024
- ↑ Tucson Sentinel, "Tight Phoenix-area congressional primary goes to automatic recount in Arizona," August 15, 2024
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedConceded - ↑ AP News, "Federal judge says results of North Carolina court race with Democrat ahead must be certified," May 5, 2025
- ↑ The Raleigh News & Observer, "Federal judges block NC Supreme Court election ‘cure’ process — for now," April 22, 2025
- ↑ The Assembly NC, "Elections Officials Narrow Jefferson Griffin’s Path to Victory," April 16, 2025
- ↑ League of Women Voters, "Impacted Voters, League of Women Voters of North Carolina File Lawsuit to Defend North Carolina Voters from Post-Election Disenfranchisement," April 14, 2025
- ↑ The Carolina Journal, "Federal judge orders NC Supreme Court election plan to proceed" April 12, 2025
- ↑ The New York Times, "Thousands of Voters Must Verify Information in Contested Election, N.C. Supreme Court Rules," April 11, 2025
- ↑ The Carolina Journal, "Griffin must respond Friday to filings in NC Supreme Court election dispute" April 10, 2025
- ↑ The New York Times, "N.C. Supreme Court Halts Voter Eligibility Review in Contested Judicial Race," April 7, 2025
- ↑ The Carolina Journal, "Appeals Court orders new vote calculations in NC Supreme Court election dispute" April 4, 2025
- ↑ The Carolina Journal, "Appellate judges reject full court hearing of Griffin-Riggs election dispute," March 14, 2025
- ↑ Carolina Journal, "Top NC court rejects request to take Griffin/Riggs election dispute now," February 20, 2025
- ↑ Carolina Journal, "State elections board asks top NC court to take up Griffin/Riggs election dispute," February 17, 2025
- ↑ Carolina Journal, "State elections board confirms it will seek NC Supreme Court review of Griffin/Riggs dispute," February 13, 2025
- ↑ CBS 17, "Jefferson Griffin appeals Wake County judge’s decision in NC Supreme Court race," February 10, 2025
- ↑ NC Newsline, "GOP Judge Jefferson Griffin appeals trial court loss in his effort to throw out votes," February 10, 2025
- ↑ Associated Press, "North Carolina judge’s ruling retains close court election result, but more legal steps are expected," February 7, 2025
- ↑ The New York Times, "Federal Ruling Says State Courts Should Decide North Carolina Election Case," February 4, 2025
- ↑ The Raleigh News & Observer, "Federal appeals court to hear NC GOP challenge of 65,000 votes in Supreme Court election, January 27, 2025
- ↑ Carolina Journal, "Trial court hearing scheduled Feb. 7 in NC Supreme Court dispute," January 27, 2025
- ↑ Associated Press, "North Carolina Supreme Court passing for now on ruling if ballots in close race are valid," January 22, 2025
- ↑ WRAL News, "In blow to GOP, NC Supreme Court won't fast-track lawsuit seeking to throw out 60,000 ballots," January 22, 2025
- ↑ Associated Press, "More legal briefs sought in unresolved North Carolina Supreme Court election," January 10, 2025
- ↑ Carolina Journal, "Griffin seeks NC Supreme Court stay, elections board appeals to 4th Circuit," January 7, 2025
- ↑ Carolina Journal, "NC Supreme Court grants stay, blocks certification of election between Griffin, Riggs," January 7, 2024
- ↑ Carolina Journal, "Federal judge sends Griffin’s NC Supreme Court election complaint back to state court," January 6, 2025
- ↑ The Carolina Journal, "Elections board urges federal judge to keep NC Supreme Court dispute, rule against Griffin," January 1, 2025
- ↑ Carolina Journal, "Judge orders NC elections board to explain why Griffin protest belongs in federal court," December 27, 2024
- ↑ Restoration News Media, "Federal injunction sought in North Carolina Supreme Court election," December 26, 2024
- ↑ Carolina Journal, "Federal judge denies temporary restraining order in NC Supreme Court ballot dispute," December 20, 2024
- ↑ Associated Press, "A trailing North Carolina Supreme Court candidate asks the court to get involved in his race," December 18, 2024
- ↑ WXII, "NC State Board of Elections will not order full recount in Supreme Court contest," December 11, 2024
- ↑ The Charlotte News & Observer, "NC elections board rejects GOP challenge of 60,000 ballots in Supreme Court race," December 11, 2024
- ↑ WRAL, "Riggs' lead grows after 2nd recount in NC Supreme Court race. Elections officials won't order a third," December 10, 2024
- ↑ WRAL, "Republican calls for second recount in NC Supreme Court race," December 2, 2024
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedTheCJournal - ↑ 48.0 48.1 WRAL, "Amid Supreme Court recount, NC elections board approves plan for reviewing 60,000 contested ballots," November 20, 2024
- ↑ Associated Press, "A recount will happen in the extremely close race for a North Carolina court seat," November 19, 2024
- ↑ The Raleigh News & Observer, "NC Supreme Court race headed to recount with Allison Riggs leading Republican challenger," November 19, 2024
- ↑ North Carolina State Legislature, "163-182.7,182.7A," accessed November 19, 2024
- ↑ Center for Election Integrity Minnesota, "North Carolina," accessed October 16, 2020
- ↑ North Carolina State Legislature, "163-182.7," accessed April 15, 2024
- ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Outside Spending," accessed December 12, 2021
- ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Total Outside Spending by Election Cycle, All Groups," accessed December 12, 2021
- ↑ National Review.com, "Why the Media Hate Super PACs," December 12, 2021
- ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' presidential results by congressional district for 2020, 2016, and 2012," accessed December 15, 2023
- ↑ North Carolina General Assembly, "North Carolina Constitution - Article IV," accessed September 20, 2021 (Section 19)
- ↑ The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | School of Government, "History of North Carolina Judicial Elections," August 2020
- ↑ North Carolina Judicial Branch, "Judicial Qualifications Summary," September 28, 2016
Federal courts:
Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Eastern District of North Carolina, Middle District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Eastern District of North Carolina, Middle District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina
State courts:
Supreme Court of North Carolina • North Carolina Court of Appeals • North Carolina Superior Courts • North Carolina District Courts
State resources:
Courts in North Carolina • North Carolina judicial elections • Judicial selection in North Carolina
| ||||||||||
Minnesota House of Representatives elections, 2024
In House District 14B, incumbent Dan Wolgamott (D) led Sue Ek (R) 10,005 to 9,814 votes, a margin of 191 votes, or 0.96% of the total votes cast.[1] Sherburne County released a statement that an upload failure on election night made it appear that Ek initially won by four votes and that the county would pay for a recount.[2] The recount reflected that Wolgamott won by 190 votes, one fewer than the original count.[3]
In House District 54A, incumbent Brad Tabke (D) led Aaron Paul (R) 10,973 to 10,959 votes, a margin of 14 votes, or 0.06% of the total votes cast.[4] The recount reflected that Tabke won by 15 votes, one more than the original count.[3]
On January 14, 2025, a district court judge ruled Tabke the winner of the race following a lawsuit.[5] Minnesota House Republicans sued for a rerun of the race after a post-election audit revealed that 21 absentee ballots were lost in Scott County.[6]
2022
United States Senate election in Pennsylvania Republican primary
Pennsylvania law required a recount because the initial vote margin was within 0.5% of the total vote. Pennsylvania Secretary of State Leigh Chapman ordered a recount on May 25 that lasted from May 27 to June 8.[7] Before the recount, Mehmet Oz led David McCormick by 902 votes.[8] Based on final results, Oz beat McCormick by 951 votes.[9]
McCormick's campaign sued to have ballots counted that were mailed and received on or before election day but did not have a written date on the envelope. The lawsuit cited a ruling by the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in a case relating to a 2021 judicial election that required such ballots to be counted.[8] On May 31, the Supreme Court of the United States issued an administrative stay of the Third Circuit's ruling pending further action, meaning such ballots would not have to be counted.[10]
Texas' 28th Congressional District election Democratic primary runoff
Under state law, candidates may request a recount if the margin of victory is less than 10%. Jessica Cisneros requested a recount and the Democratic Party of Texas approved the recount request.[11][12] Before the recount, Henry Cuellar led Cisneros by 187 votes.[13] The recount confirmed Cuellar's victory by a margin of 289 votes.[14]
2021
Florida's 20th Congressional District Democratic primary
Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick won the special Democratic primary for Florida's 20th Congressional District on November 2, 2021. Eleven candidates ran. The special election on January 11, 2022, filled the vacancy left by Alcee Hastings (D), who died on April 6, 2021.[15] Hastings had been in office since 1993. As of September, Inside Elections rated the special election Solid Democratic. Hastings was re-elected in 2020 with 79% of the vote.
Florida Secretary of State Laurel Lee (R) ordered a recount of votes on November 4. Cherfilus-McCormick was leading Dale Holness by three votes. Under Florida law, a machine recount is required if the initial election night result is within 0.5 percentage points. If the machine recount results in a margin within 0.25 percentage points, a manual recount occurs. Click here for more information. Cherfilus-McCormick maintained a lead of five votes after the recount and once overseas and military ballots were counted.[16] Holness filed two lawsuits in the end of November, and no judges took the cases up before the January 11, 2022, special election.[17] Click here for a timeline of events occurring in the aftermath of the election.
2020
Presidential vote in Georgia
- See also: Presidential election in Georgia, 2020
On November 6, 2020, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (R) said that a statewide recount was likely due to the narrow margin of votes separating President Donald Trump (R) from former Vice President Joe Biden (D). Raffensperger said, "This process is and will remain open and transparent to monitors."[18]
The Trump campaign appointed Rep. Doug Collins (R) to lead the campaign's recount efforts. On November 10, 2020, Collins filed the following formal requests with Raffensperger:[19][20][21]
- "There must be a full comparison of absentee ballots cast and in-person and provisional ballots cast throughout the state."
- "[T]here must be a check for felons and other ineligible persons who m ay have cast a ballot.
- "[The] Secretary of state should announce a full hand-count of every ballot cast in each and every county due to widespread allegations of voter irregularities, issues with voting machines, and poll watcher access."
On November 11, 2020, Raffensperger announced that Georgia would conduct a hand-count audit of its presidential election results. The target date for completing the audit was November 20, 2020, the state's certification deadline.[22]
On November 19, 2020, Raffensperger announced the results of the hand-count audit, which confirmed Biden's victory over Trump. The audit revealed a 0.1053 percent discrepancy in the statewide vote total, and a 0.0099 percent variation in the margin of victory, between the hand count and the initial machine count. The audit uncovered approximately 5,000 ballots that were not tallied during the initial machine count, which election officials attributed to human error. This resulted in a net gain of 1,272 votes for Trump.[23][24]
On November 21, the Trump campaign requested a recount. That recount was conducted by rescanning ballots through tabulation machines, in contrast with the hand-count audit that concluded on November 19, 2020. The machine recount ended on December 4, 2020. The outcome of the race was unchanged, and Raffensperger recertified the results on December 7, 2020.[25][26][27]
Presidential vote in Wisconsin
- See also: Presidential election in Wisconsin, 2020
On November 18, 2020, President Donald Trump (R) and Vice President Mike Pence (R) petitioned the Wisconsin Elections Commission for recounts in Dane and Milwaukee counties. In their petition, Trump and Pence alleged that "mistakes and fraud were committed throughout the state of Wisconsin, including particularly in the city of Madison, the city of Milwaukee, and throughout Dane County and Milwaukee County."[28]
The Trump campaign wired the state elections commission $3 million to pay for the costs of the recounts. Late in the evening on November 18, 2020, after deadlocking on a number of procedural points, the commission's three Democrats and three Republicans voted unanimously to approve the recount, which got underway on November 19, 2020.[29][30]
On November 27, 2020, Milwaukee County announced the results of its recount. On November 29, 2020, Dane County followed suit. The recounts in these two counties resulted in a net gain of 87 votes for Biden.[31]
Iowa's 2nd Congressional District election
Prior to the first recount, incumbent Rita Hart (D) led Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R) by 162 votes. Secretary of State Paul Pate (R) requested a recount in Jasper County after County Auditor Dennis Parrot informed the state that human error had resulted in 591 Election Day ballots from one precinct being counted incorrectly.[32] Pate requested a second recount in Lucas County on Nov. 10 after learning one of the county's precincts had not been included in the county's vote total.[33] On Nov. 13, Hart requested a full recount, which ended on Nov. 30. Following the third and final recount, Miller-Meeks was certified as the winner, leading Hart by six votes.[34] On Dec. 2, Hart announced she would contest the election results before the U.S. House.[35] On March 31, 2021, Hart dropped her petition before the House Administration Committee, ending her challenge.[36] Click here to learn more.
New York's 22nd Congressional District election
On Nov. 30, Claudia Tenney (R) led incumbent Anthony Brindisi (D) by twelve votes in the election's first official vote count.[37] On Dec. 8, New York Supreme Court Justice Scott DelConte ordered a review and partial recount of disputed absentee/mail-in and affidavit ballots stemming from a lawsuit involving both candidates. County election boards were ordered to correct errors or, if those errors could not be corrected, conduct a manual recount.[38] On Feb. 5, 2021, DelConte ordered the New York State Board of Elections to certify the final results, in which Tenney defeated Brindisi by 109 votes.[39]
Alaska House of Representatives election District 27
A group of eleven qualified voters requested a recount in House District 27. Prior to the recount, Liz Snyder (D) led incumbent House Minority Leader, Lance Pruitt (R), by thirteen votes. As a result of the recount, Snyder defeated Pruitt by eleven votes.[40] This recount had the ability to change the partisan control of the chamber from a minority coaltion to Republican control. After assuming office, Snyder joined the multipartisan minority coalition, which retained control of the chamber.
2018
Alaska House of Representatives District 1 election
Prior to the recount in District 1, Bart Lebon (R) and Kathryn Dodge (D) were tied. The recount was automatically initiated as required by state law. As a result of the recount, LeBon defeated Dodge by one vote.
Florida gubernatorial election
Prior to the recount, Ron DeSantis (R) led Andrew Gillum (D) by a margin of 0.41 percent, about 36,000 votes. The recount was automatically initiated as required by state law. As a result of the recount, DeSantis maintained his 0.41 percent margin of victory, although his vote lead decreased to about 32,500.
Maine's 2nd Congressional District election
Jared Golden (D) led Bruce Poliquin (R) by 1.0 percent. Poliquin requested the recount, and state law required he pay a $5,000 deposit because the margin of victory exceeded the maximum threshold for an automatic recount. Poliquin later requested the recount be called off.
U.S. Senate election in Florida
Prior to the recount, Rick Scott (R) led Bill Nelson by 0.14 percent, about 15,000 votes. The recount was automatically initiated as required by state law. As a result of the recount, Scott defeated Nelson by a 0.2 percent margin of victory, although his vote lead decreased to about 10,000. .
2017
Virginia House of Delegates elections
District 28
Prior to the recount, Robert Thomas Jr. (R) had a 86-vote lead over Joshua Cole (D). Cole requested the recount, as state law allows candidates when the margin is less than 1 percent. As a result of the recount, Thomas won the contest by 73 votes, a 13-vote swing for Cole.
District 40
Prior to the recount, Tim Hugo (R) had a 86-vote lead over Donte Tanner (D). Tanner requested the recount, as state law allows candidates when the margin is less than 1 percent. As a result of the recount, Hugo won the contest by 99 votes, a 13-vote swing for Hugo.
District 68
Prior to the recount, Dawn Adams (D) had a 336-vote lead over Manoli Loupassi (R). Loupassi requested the recount, as state law allows candidates when the margin is less than 1 percent. As a result of the recount, Adams won the contest by 347 votes, an 11-vote swing for Adams.
District 94
Prior to the recount, David Yancey (R) had a 10-vote lead over Shelly Simonds (D). Simonds requested the recount, as state law allows candidates when the margin is less than 1 percent. As a result of the recount, the contest was officially declared a tie, a 10-vote swing for Simonds. Yancey ultimately won the seat when the tie result was decided by lot.
2016
Presidential vote in Wisconsin
- See also: Presidential election in Wisconsin, 2016
Jill Stein (G) requested a full recount of Wisconsin's presidential election on Nov. 25, saying the election was hacked.[41] Prior to the recount, Donald Trump (R) led Hillary Clinton (D) by 27,257 votes. The recount began on Dec. 1 and finished on Dec. 12.[42][43] As a result, Clinton gained 713 votes and Trump gained 844, adding 131 votes to his margin of victory.[43]
Presidential vote in Nevada
- See also: Presidential election in Nevada, 2016
Partly in response to Jill Stein's (G) requested presidential election recount in Wisconsin, Rocky De La Fuente (Reform) requested a partial recount of Nevada's presidential election results in Clark, Douglas, Mineral, and Nye counties and Carson City on Nov. 29.[44][45] The recount began on Dec. 5 and finished on Dec. 8.[46][47] As a result, Clinton lost nine votes and Trump lost six, subtracting three votes from Clinton's margin of victory.[48]
2008
U.S. Senate election in Minnesota
- See also: Al Franken#2008
Prior to the recount, Norm Coleman (R) led Al Franken (D) by 206 votes. The recount was automatically initiated as required by state law. As a result of the recount, Franken won the contest by 312 votes, a swing of 518 votes for Franken.[49]
2004
Washington gubernatorial election
- See also: Governor of Washington
Prior to the recount, Dino Rossi (R) led Christine Gregoire (D) by 261 votes. The recount was automatically initiated as required by state law. A first electronic recount reduced Rossi's lead to 42 votes. A hand recount requested by the state Democratic Party resulted in Gregoire victory by 129 votes, a swing of 390 votes for Gregoire.[49]
2000
Presidential vote in Florida
On election night, George W. Bush (R) led Al Gore (D) by 1,700 votes. The recount was automatically initiated as required by state law. The recount reduced Bush's lead to 317 votes, and Gore asked for a manual recount in four counties. Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris certified results of that recount, giving Bush a 537-vote lead. Gore appealed to the Florida Supreme Court, which ruled in his favor and called for a statewide recount of "undervote" ballots. Bush appealed to the Supreme Court of the United States, which ordered the recount to be put on hold until it could hear arguments in the case. The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in Bush v. Gore that there was not enough time for a solution to be put in place by the time the electoral college voted. Bush remained the certified winner in Florida, and Gore conceded the presidential election the next day.[50]
1984
Indiana's 8th Congressional District
The U.S. House of Representatives last reversed the results of a state-certified election in 1984. In that election, Indiana's certified results had Rick McIntyre (R) defeating incumbent Frank McCloskey (D) by 34 votes in the contest for Indiana's 8th Congressional District. The House, with a Democratic majority, conducted its own recount and concluded that McCloskey had defeated McIntyre by four votes out of over 233,000 ballots cast, a margin. McCloskey was sworn into office.[51]
Recount laws by state
The sections below display recount laws across the fifty states. States with Automatic threshold below have a statutory provision for automatic recounts, and this describes the threshold required for an automatic recount. States with Requesting a recount below have a statutory provision that allows candidates, voters, or other individuals to request a recount and describes the requirements for requesting a recount. To navigate to your state, click it on the map below. Are any of these figures out of date? Click here to let us know.
As of April 2024, 27 states had a statutory provision allowing for automatic recounts, and 43 states had a statutory provision allowing for requested recounts. Click the map below to learn more about recall laws in that state.
Click [show] on the table below to see the availability of recounts in each state.
As of June 2025, state law in 48 states included a recount provision, automatic recounts are possible in 27 states, and requested recounts are possible in 43 states.
See also
Footnotes
- ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "Results for State Representative District 14B," accessed November 13, 2024
- ↑ CBS News, "Recounts possible as Minnesota GOP questions results in 2 House races," November 12, 2024
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 CBS News, "Recounts certify election results in two Minnesota House races," November 25, 2024
- ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "Results for State Representative District 54A," accessed November 13, 2024
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedtabkewin - ↑ Washington Times, "Minnesota GOP sues to force rerun of race where Democrat won by 14 votes, 20 ballots are missing," December 2, 2024
- ↑ NewsTimes, "Recount begins in Pennsylvania's GOP primary for Senate," May 27, 2022
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 The Hill, "Pennsylvania officially orders recount in GOP Senate primary," May 25, 2022
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedrecountdone - ↑ Politico, "Pa. GOP Senate race upended by court cases," May 31, 2022
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedcisnerosrecount - ↑ Twitter, "Patrick Svitek on June 9, 2022," accessed June 10, 2022
- ↑ News4Jax, "Texas recount underway between Texas Rep. Cuellar, Cisneros," June 16, 2022
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedrecountwon - ↑ The Hill, "Florida Rep. Alcee Hastings dead at 84," April 6, 2021
- ↑ NBC Miami, "Cherfilus-McCormick Named Apparent Winner of District 20 Democratic Primary," November 12, 2021
- ↑ The Washington Post, "Democrat Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick wins House seat in Florida special election," January 11, 2022
- ↑ CBS News, "Georgia secretary of state says state will head to a recount," November 6, 2020
- ↑ Fox News, "Trump campaign taps Rep. Doug Collins to lead recount team in Georgia," November 8, 2020
- ↑ Fox 5 Atlanta, "Trump campaign requests Georgia hand-count votes in recount," November 10, 2020
- ↑ Twitter, "Doug Collins: Nov. 10, 2020: 10:51 AM," November 10, 2020
- ↑ The Washington Post, "Georgia secretary of state announces hand audit; Trump, Sullivan win in Alaska," November 11, 2020
- ↑ Georgia Secretary of State, "Historic First Statewide Audit of Paper Ballots Upholds Result of Presidential Race," November 19, 2020
- ↑ The New York Times, "Where Georgia’s Hand Recount Differed From the Initial Tally, by County," November 19, 2020
- ↑ NPR, "Trump Requests Georgia Recount, Meaning 5 Million Votes Will Be Tabulated A 3rd Time," November 22, 2020
- ↑ Georgia Secretary of State, "November 3, 2020, Presidential Recount," accessed December 7, 2020
- ↑ Georgia Secretary of State, "Secretary of State Certifies Election, Kraken Case Dismissed," December 7, 2020
- ↑ Wisconsin Elections Commission, "In re: the 2020 election for President of the United States, Verified Petition for Recount," November 18, 2020
- ↑ Wisconsin Elections Commission, "WEC Receives Petition for Partial Recount; Recount to be Ordered Thursday," November 18, 2020
- ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Wisconsin recount gets off to a rough start as Elections Commission repeatedly clashes," November 19, 2020
- ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Biden gains 87 votes in Trump's $3 million Wisconsin recount as Dane County wraps up review. President plans lawsuit." November 29, 2020
- ↑ The Gazette, "Recount of 19,000 ballots ordered in tight Iowa U.S. District 2 House race," November 6, 2020
- ↑ Quad-City Times, "UPDATED: Iowa Secretary of State orders another recount in tight 2nd district US House race," November, 10, 2020
- ↑ Associated Press, "Iowa board certifies 6-vote Republican win in US House race," November 30, 2020
- ↑ Politico, "Iowa Democrat will challenge election results with House," December 2, 2020
- ↑ Politico, "Democrat drops election contest in Iowa House race," March 31, 2021
- ↑ Syracuse.com, "Tenney leads Brindisi by 12 in first official vote count in House election," Nov. 30, 2020
- ↑ Syracuse.com, "Judge orders partial recount in Brindisi-Tenney House race," Dec. 8, 2020
- ↑ CNYHomepage.com, "Tenney Wins By 109 Votes, Brindisi To Appeal," Feb. 5, 2021
- ↑ Anchorage Daily News, "Recount affirms an 11-vote win for Democrat Liz Snyder in Anchorage House race," Dec. 4, 2020
- ↑ The Christian Science Monitor, "Clinton joins Stein's recount effort in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania," Nov. 26, 2016
- ↑ Wisconsin Elections Commission website, "Wisconsin Elections Commission Receives $3.5 million Payment from Stein Campaign for Presidential Election Recount," Nov. 28, 2016
- ↑ 43.0 43.1 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Recount confirms Trump's victory in Wisconsin," Dec. 12, 2016
- ↑ Las Vegas Sun, "Independent presidential candidate requests recount in Nevada," Nov. 29, 2016
- ↑ The Washington Post, "The Latest: 5 Nevada counties to recount presidential race," Nov. 30, 2016
- ↑ KTNV, "Clark County begins recount after candidate's request," Dec. 5, 2016
- ↑ Pahrump Valley Times, "No changes for De La Fuente in election recount," Dec. 14, 2016
- ↑ KVVU, "Nevada ballot recount changes just 15 Trump, Clinton votes," Dec. 8, 2016
- ↑ 49.0 49.1 Washington Post, " Recounts almost never work. Except these three." November 28, 2016
- ↑ National Constitution Center, "On this day, Bush v. Gore settles 2000 presidential race," December 12, 2018
- ↑ Roll Call, "Top 10 House Races: Only a Few Are Obvious," May 16, 2005
- ↑ Citizens for Election Integrity Minnesota, "Arizona Recount Laws," accessed March 19, 2024
- ↑ A court may order a recount under Arizona law.
