Unofficial Returns Received from Counties in Close Lt. Governor Primary

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Secretary of the Commonwealth Pedro A. Cortes today said the state has received the unofficial returns from all 67 counties in the May 18 statewide Democratic primary race for lieutenant governor. Cortes will use the unofficial returns to determine whether an automatic recount will be required under state law.

"I am grateful for the counties' hard work to provide the unofficial returns to us in a timely manner," Cortes said. "We understand there is substantial interest across the state in this important election, and we are working to achieve a final result as quickly as possible."

Act 97 of 2004 provides that any statewide race or ballot question where the margin of victory was less than one half of one percent of the total number of votes cast for that office or ballot question would automatically trigger a recount in all 67 counties. If a recount in the Democratic primary for lieutenant governor is required, it would be the second statewide recount since passage of Act 97.  The first recount was conducted in the Superior Court race in November 2009.  

In last week's primary election H. Scott Conklin and Jonathan A. Saidel received the two highest vote totals among Democratic candidates for lieutenant governor.  The total number of votes cast for the office is 901,343 votes. One-half of 1 percent of the total is 4,507 votes.

The unofficial returns provided by the counties today show one defeated candidate within the one-half of one percent margin:

• H. Scott Conklin - 318,310 votes
• Jonathan A. Saidel - 314,448 votes (trails Conklin by 3,862 votes)
• Doris A. Smith-Ribner – 268,585 votes (trails Conklin by 49,725 votes)

Cortes indicated the recount may begin as soon as June 2, unless the defeated candidate requests in writing that a recount not be made.

The Department of State estimated the recount could cost more than $500,000.

If a recount is necessary, state law requires the counties to complete the recount by June 8 and to report the results to the Department of State by noon, June 9. A comprehensive calendar of relevant dates is attached below.

Unofficial elections returns are available through www.dos.state.pa.us by clicking on the View Elections Results link on the homepage.

For more information on elections and voter registration, call the Department of State's toll-free hotline at 1-877-VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772) or visit www.VotesPA.com.

Media contacts: Leslie Amoros or Charlie Young, 717-783-1621

Editor's Note: A calendar of dates relevant to the election and potential recount follows.

Calendar for the Transmittal of Election Night Returns / Recount or Recanvass Ordered by the Secretary of the Commonwealth

May 18, 2010 Primary Election

1. By 2 a.m. on Wed., May 19, 2010, each judge of election must return to the county boards of elections the following materials: envelopes; supplies, including all uncast provisional ballots; and returns, including all provisional ballots and absentee ballots cast in the election district.
2. By 3 a.m. on Wed., May 19, 2010, the county boards of elections must submit to the Department of State returns received from the election districts for each office for which a candidate must file a nomination petition with the Secretary.
3. At 9 a.m. on Fri., May 21, 2010, the county boards of elections must publicly commence the computation and canvassing of returns.
4. No later than 5 p.m. on Tues., May 25, 2010, the county boards of elections must submit to the Secretary of the Commonwealth unofficial returns for all statewide offices and ballot questions.
5. No later than noon on Wed., May 26, 2010, the defeated candidates must request in writing that a recount and recanvass not be made to avoid a statewide recount and recanvass.
6. By 5 p.m. on Thurs., May 27, 2010, the Secretary of the Commonwealth must issue, if required, an order for a recount or recanvass.  
7. Wed., June 2, 2010, is the last day on which a recount or recanvass ordered by the Secretary of the Commonwealth can be scheduled to begin.    
8. By noon on Tues., June 8, 2010, the recount or recanvass must be completed.
9. No later than noon on Wed., June 9, 2010, the county boards of elections must submit the results of the recount or recanvass.

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of State