GOP raises possibility of Iowa recount
abcnews.go.com
WIRE:11/09/2000 13:26:00 ET
GOP raises possibility of Iowa recount
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) _ State Republican Party officials are exploring the possibility of requesting a voter recount following Al Gore"s razor-thin victory in Iowa. "If we think a recount, in regards to numbers or in regards to aberrations that come to our attention, that a recount would likely affect the outcome, then we would make that recommendation," said Kayne Robinson, chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa. Bush campaign officials said they were looking at the possibility of a recount in Iowa, as well as in another closely contested state, Wisconsin. "We"re reviewing that right now," said campaign spokesman Ari Fleischer. To ask for a recount, Bush would have to personally write each of Iowa"s 99 county auditors by 5 p.m. Nov. 16 or 17, depending on the county. "Any candidate who receives votes _ it can"t be just anyone, for sure _ has to request a recount in writing, by requesting it to each county auditor," State Elections Director Sandy Steinbach said Wednesday. Gov. Tom Vilsack said Gore"s victory margin of less than 5,000 votes was significant and he didn"t think the recount would be necessary. "In absence of some kind of real question about the way ballots have been handled in an area that might tip the scales, I just don"t think there"s much there," Vilsack said. Robinson said the party would examine canvassing results before deciding whether to advise the Bush campaign to formally request a recount. With all Iowa precincts counted, Gore led 635,026 to 630,077 _ a mere 4,949 votes. County auditors had not yet counted an unknown number of ballots postmarked by Nov. 6 and received by Monday. |
