On Tuesday, one of the most intense and divisive political races in recent history was decided. Alabama’s Democratic candidate, Doug Jones, won a seat in the United States Senate with 49.9% of the vote.
With an estimated 99% of precincts counted, Jones collected approximately 673,236 votes from the people of Alabama, while his Republican opponent Roy Moore collected approximately 652,300 (48.4%), reports CNN.
However, Roy Moore might not be finished with this race. During his speech on Tuesday evening, the Republican candidate spoke of a possible recount:
… I really want to thank you for coming tonight and realize when the vote is this close, that it’s not over. And we still got to go by the rules about this recount provision, and Secretary of State has explained it to us and we’re expecting that the press will go up there and talk to them to find out what the situation is.
… the votes are still coming in, and we’re looking at that. May God bless you as you go on, give you safe journey, and thank you for coming tonight. It’s not over and it’s going to take some time. Thank you. Thank you, thank you. Let’s go home, we’ll take it on tomorrow.
According to The Hill:
Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill told reporters during an impromptu Tuesday night press conference in his state capitol office that the state will direct counties to count provisional ballots, absentee ballots and military ballots.
By December 22, the results of the ballot count will be provided to Merrill. An automatic recount would be triggered if the gap between candidates is less than 0.5%, per Alabama state law. As it stands early Wednesday morning, Jones is beating Moore by 1.5%.
If the provisional ballots, absentee ballots, and military ballots are counted, and the margin remains larger than 0.5%, Moore would have to foot the bill for a recount himself.