Two machine recounts in Florida

TALLAHASSEE: Florida will hold a machine recount of votes in its neckandneck races for the US Senate and governor, officials said yesterday, setting up a dayslong wait for closure in two of the most closely watched contests of the midterm elections.

Results of the recount are due by Friday (NZ time) for the two races, which along with those for governor in Georgia and for the US Senate in Arizona, are the most highprofile contests still undecided after Tuesday’s vote.

The drama echoed the 2000 presidential vote recount that took place in Florida, with both sides alleging foul play and sending teams of lawyers to the Sunshine State.

In Florida’s election for the US Senate, Republican Governor Rick Scott had seen his lead narrow over incumbent Democratic US Senator Bill Nelson to about 12,500 votes, or 0.15%, by yesterday.

He urged every sheriff in the state to watch for any violations during the recount process and to take appropriate actions.

‘‘We will not let unethical liberals steal this election!’’ Scott wrote on Twitter. ‘‘It’s time Senator Nelson accepts these results and allows the state of Florida to move forward to a better future.’’

Nelson said his campaign would continue taking action to ensure every vote is counted without interference or efforts to undermine the democratic process.

‘‘We believe when every legal ballot is counted we’ll win this election,’’ Nelson said in a statement.

In the gubernatorial (governor) contest, Republican Ron DeSantis’ lead over Democrat Andrew Gillum winnowed to about 33,700 votes, or 0.41%.

DeSantis said in a video statement the results were ‘‘clear and unambiguous, just as they were on election night,’’ and that he was honoured by the trust Floridians placed in him.

Gillum, who is trying become Florida’s first AfricanAmerican governor, told reporters his team had organised a cadre of hundreds of volunteers and lawyers to move across the state and fight against voter suppression and for a fair count. — Reuters