FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. — A recount is planned as the race for Seat 2 on the Fernandina Beach city commission is too close to call. The Nassau County Supervisor of Elections Office plans to start the recount on Wednesday.
Only 20 votes separate Genece Minshew and David Sturges. Minshew is in the lead ahead of the recount. By Florida law, when the difference between the results is this small, the supervisor of elections must hold a recount.
Around 54,000 ballots were sorted over two days ahead of the recount. The Supervisor of Elections Office had to find the ballots with this city commission race. Elections officials also set aside ballots that either have nothing marked for this race or both candidates are marked.
Nassau County Supervisor of Elections Janet Adkins said they will begin with a machine recount. They are hoping to get through about 3,000 to 4,000 ballots an hour. If the number of votes is still too close after a machine recount, a manual recount will take place.
“If we fall within the requirements for a manual recount, then we will be reviewing those over and under votes, we’ll be reviewing every ballot that has been duplicated during the election process to make sure everything was counted accurately," Adkins explained.
Both candidates are eager to see the final results. Minshew said this was a long campaign process and she is ready to begin serving her city.
"I’m confident and excited to be working with a new city commission and new mayor. We have a lot to do and I’m just ready to go to work," Minshew said.
The spokesperson for David Sturges' campaign, Joe Zimmerman, said he is remaining optimistic of the recount.
“Right now, we are in a deficit of about 20 votes. If those numbers hold, we’re ok with it. If they change, we’re ok with it. We have total faith in the process," Zimmerman said.
The recount begins at 9 a.m. Wednesday at the Nassau County Supervisor of Elections Office. Members of the public are welcome to attend.