Down to the wire: How do Oregon recounts work?

Down to the wire: How do Oregon recounts work?

Tools

By Andrew Segal KVAL News

All the procedures for a recount are set out by Oregon law.

What triggers a recount?

A race gets an automatic recount if the top two candidates are within one-fifth of one percent of each other.

That means if there are 100,000 votes cast -- the approximate number in the Eugene mayor's race -- the candidates would have to be separated by no more than 200 votes.

How is the recount conducted?

The automatic recounts are full recount. That means every single vote is counted by hand.

Who picks up the cost?

That depends. The state pays for statewide races, the county for county races and the city would pay for the mayor's race.

When will we know if a recount is necessary?

First, elections officials will count ballots received from other counties, provisional ballots... and ballots with signature problems.

That must be done and the results certified by the 20th day after the election, or Nov. 24.

If the races are still within the one-fifth of a percent margin on that date, then the recount will begin.

Icon
Current Temp 35.0 °F
Partly Cloudy
More Weather

Upload directly from your mobile device.

Learn how

YouNews

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

On Demand

Resources and info you need to prepare for the switch to DTV.

Viewer Poll

What should Oprah do after her show ends Sept. 9, 2011?
Read more and join the discussion

  • Start a primetime talk show
  • Go into politics
  • Focus on the Web and her magazine
  • More philanthropic work in Africa
  • Whatever she wants; the world's her oyster!