Recount Possible In CD2 Race Between Barber and McSally

By Kate Sheehy
November 12, 2014

The 2nd Congressional District race is even closer now that nearly all ballots have been counted in Pima County. Republican Martha McSally held a lead Tuesday evening of just 133 votes over Democratic incumbent Ron Barber. A recount is possible at this point.

The Pima County Elections Department worked the Veterans Day holiday and counted 4,772 provisional ballots. A spokesperson for the county said there are about 200 conditional provisional ballots left to be counted. Those voters have until 5 p.m. Wednesday to provide identification in order for their vote to be included.

It is unknown how many of those ballots are from the 2nd District, but the spokesperson said the trend has been that more than half of ballots counted are from that district.

A recount will take place if a candidate wins by fewer than 200 votes. That would mean final results wouldn’t be known until December.

Barber's campaign seems ready for a recount.

"As the final ballots continue to be counted, and with a current margin of 133 votes, the election for Arizona's Second Congressional District is too close to call. This is the closest congressional election in Arizona history. The law calls for an automatic recount in a race this close, and that is where we are headed," Barber said in a statement.

But the McSally camp is not talking about a recount just yet.

"No doubt this has been a long process for everyone involved and we are grateful for all the support and encouragement we've seen. There are still ballots left to count, but we are confident that when all ballots are in, our lead will hold. We will continue to provide oversight of the process until then," McSally said in a statement.