From the Lone Star Project, things we can look forward to in the upcoming recount in HD-105 to determine if Linda Harper-Brown really goes back to the House with her 20 vote lead over Bob Romano.
Final resolution of the HD105 contest may take some time. Here's what we can expect over the next several days:
The Dallas County Commissioners Court will certify the results as reported by election officials.
Bob Romano must file a request for a recount no later than two days following the certification of the ballot by the Commissioners Court.
A Recount Committee will be appointed by the Dallas Elections Administrator. The Committee will then examine each ballot to determine the intent of each voter.
Quirk in electronic voting machines could determine outcome
In Dallas County, ES&S electronic voting machines are used during early voting, while paper ballots are used on Election Day. One of the notable flaws in ES&S machines is that voters who cast a straight ticket ballot but then also attempt to "emphasis" vote by marking the box next to a particular candidate inadvertently deselect that candidate thereby canceling their vote.
When the voting screens are reviewed during a recount, these errors should be caught and corrected (Source: TX Election Code Section 65.007). In HD105, Democrats cast more straight ticket ballots than Republicans. As the under vote flaw caused by "emphasis" voting is caught and corrected, more Romano votes are likely to be restored than Harper-Brown votes.
Obviously, we don't know if the ES&S flaw will reveal enough previously uncounted votes for Romano to overcome Harper-Brown's narrow 20-vote lead. Clearly, though, a recount of the early votes in HD105 is justified. Further, this race points to the need that the electronic voting machine flaw should be corrected.
Bob Romano indicated today that he intends to officially request a recount in his race that is separated by 20-votes. Essentially, while it's still more likely that Representative Harper-Brown will represent Irving in the next legislative session, nothing yet is certain.
Here's his statement:
I am proud and humbled that so many voters in our community believe I should be our district's voice in the Texas House. In the coming days, my focus will be on doing everything I can to see that every ballot is counted and that every voter's intent is known. We must respect the voters, and protect the trust they have placed in our democracy. To that end, I intend to request a re-count of the ballots cast in this election.
Having seen Mr. Romano's initial reaction to the close race with a desire to go hunting, he probably genuinely is humbled. This is his second straight attempt at Harper-Brown's seat, and the 2006 result was not nearly this close. So his humility is understandable.
Whatever happens: Congratulations on your increased support, Bob Romano.
This just in from sources in Dallas. The final provisional ballots have been approved and counted into the tally. While overseas military ballots pushed up Linda Harper-Brown's lead from 29 votes to 34, the counting of provisional ballots knocked it down to a 20 vote lead.
The final ballot count should be as follows.
Linda Harper-Brown (R): 19,856
Bob Romano (D): 19,836
The waiting continues for state Rep. Linda Harper-Brown and her Democratic challenger Bob Romano in the race for state House District 105.
Harper-Brown had a 34-vote lead over Romano on Monday after overseas ballots were counted, according to Dallas County election figures.
Harper-Brown entered Monday's count with a 29-vote margin over Romano. She picked up nine overseas ballots and he gained four.
Dallas County Elections Administrator Bruce Sherbet says 61 provisional ballots remained to be counted Monday night.
The overseas ballots are military ballots, so it should have been expected to go in Harper-Brown's direction. Also, there is no saying if any of the already-counted provisional ballots have been included in the most recently released tally. Since the total vote count went up only slightly, I would assume the answer is no.
CBS 11 explains how the provisional ballots will be decided:
The race will be decided by a ballot board. It has eight teams with one democrat and one republican on each team.
Sherbet says if the teams can't agree on the validity of a ballot, then a provisional ballot judge casts the tie-breaker. In this case, she's a democrat.
It lies with the counting of provisional ballots in HD-105 between Rep. Linda Harper-Brown (R) and this man- Bob Romano. The margin is 25 votes.
If this man can win, the Texas House is tied 75-75.
Romano beat Jim Rea in the primary. Rea was endorsed by the Dallas Morning News and favored by the Lone Star Project and expected to win. Romano won the primary by 298 votes.
