Recount laws in Florida

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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.


Note: The content below describes recount procedures in Florida. The information on this page is not intended to serve as a manual for those seeking to start or halt a recount; individuals seeking more information about specific processes and requirements should contact their state election agencies.

Summary of recount laws

The list below shows answers to common questions regarding recounts in Florida.[1]

  • Does state law require automatic recounts?
    • Yes, a machine recount occurs when the margin is less than or equal to 0.5% total votes for office. If the machine recount returns a margin of defeat less than or equal to 0.25% of total votes, a manual recount of over/under votes occurs.
  • When must an automatic recount be completed?
    • For the initial recount, the fifth day after a regularly-scheduled primary election and the ninth day after a general or special election. Additional deadlines for potential second recounts can be found below.
  • Can a recount be requested?
    • Recounts may not be requested in this state.
  • Who pays for a requested recount?
    • Recounts may not be requested in this state.
  • Is a refund available for requested recount costs?
    • Not applicable. State law does not allow requested recounts.
  • Can a partial recount be requested?
    • No.

Florida recount procedures

Automatic recount procedures

Automatic recounts are required if a candidate or measure is defeated by less than 0.5% of the total votes cast. The initial recount is conducted using automatic tabulating equipment and consists of all ballots cast.[2] If the results of the initial recount show a new margin where a candidate or measure is defeated by less than 0.25% of the total votes cast, a second recount is conducted by hand. The second recount, if required, consists only of overvotes and undervotes. The second recount is not required if the total number of such votes is not large enough to change the outcome of the election.[3]

Below are the deadlines for recounts by stage and election type:[1]

Initial recount:

  • Regularly-scheduled primary election: no later than 3:00 p.m. on the fifth day after the election.
  • General/special elections: no later than 3:00 p.m. on the ninth day after the election.

Second recount (if required):

  • Regularly-scheduled primary election: no later than 5:00 p.m. on the seventh day after the election.
  • General/special elections: no later than 12:00 p.m. on the twelfth day after the election.

Provisions regarding automatic recounts do not apply to presidential preference primaries and elections for political party executive committee members.[1]

Requested recount procedures

Florida does not allow requested recounts.

For more information about recount procedures in Florida, click here.

Florida voting equipment

See also: Voting methods and equipment by state

Florida uses paper and Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) systems for its elections. The state does not require a voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) when conducting elections. According to the National Academy of Sciences, a voter-verified paper audit trail "consists of physical paper records of voter ballots as voters have cast them on an electronic voting system. In the event that an election recount or audit is called for, the VVPAT provides a supporting record." [4][5]

50-state overview of recount laws

The table below summarizes where state laws allow for automatic and requested recounts. Click "show" to view the table.


50-state overview of requested recounts

The table below summarizes how requested recounts are paid for and whether it is possible for candidates to request a partial recount. Click "show" to view the table.


See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Florida Division of Elections, "Recount Procedure Summary," accessed Oct. 18, 2020
  2. ↑ Florida Statutes, "County canvassing board; duties," accessed Oct. 18, 2020
  3. ↑ Florida Statutes, "Manual recounts of overvotes and undervotes," accessed Oct. 18, 2020
  4. ↑ Verified Voting, "The Verifier - Polling Place Equipment - Current," accessed October 7, 2015
  5. ↑ ProCon.org, "What Is a Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT)?" accessed December 2, 2016
  6. ↑ Citizens for Election Integrity Minnesota, "Arizona Recount Laws," accessed Nov. 16, 2020
  7. ↑ A court may order a recount under Arizona law.
  8. ↑ This category encompasses instances where the state government pays for recounts and those states where counties pay.
  9. ↑ A recount alone cannot change the election results, but can be used to contest the election. At the end of that process, the court may choose not to levy costs against the prevailing party.
  10. ↑ Recounts occur as part of a contested election. A requester may be required to cover costs before the start of such an event. The court may choose to require the unsuccessful party in a contested election to cover the costs, which could involve a refund to the requester if he or she is the successful party.
  11. ↑ In the case of a court-ordered recount, candidates must pay, but will be refunded if the outcome changes. Regarding non-court-ordered recounts, state law does not mention whether the candidate is refunded in such a case.
  12. ↑ The state covers requested recounts of statewide constitutional amendments. The requester covers all other recounts.
  13. ↑ For local and county ballot measure elections, state law does not mention the possibility of a refund. For all other recounts, costs paid by the requester are refunded if the recount changes the election outcome.
  14. ↑ No mention in state law.
  15. ↑ No mention in state law.
  16. ↑ The state pays for candidate-requested recounts. The requester pays for voter-requested recounts.
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