The 2024 election is shaping up to be extremely close, with polls indicating a tight race. This has raised the possibility that the outcome in a key state could hinge on a recount. The rules and procedures for recounts vary from state to state since elections are administered locally. In 2020, former President Donald Trump requested recounts in several key battleground states where Joe Biden had won by a narrow margin, but ultimately, none of the recounts changed the outcome of the election. While recounts typically only slightly alter the final margin of a race, they can have a significant impact when the vote is close enough.
In Arizona, candidates do not request recounts, but an automatic recount is triggered if a race is decided by a margin less than 0.5% of votes cast. The state recently raised the threshold for an automatic recount to 0.5%. Bipartisan lawmakers in 2024 approved new measures to expedite the recount process, ensuring that Arizona would have enough time to conduct a recount without missing the deadline for the Electoral College meeting in December. In Georgia, a candidate can request a recount if the margin is within 0.5 percentage points, as long as the request is made within two business days of certification. In 2020, Georgia’s presidential vote underwent significant scrutiny due to a tight margin and baseless claims of fraud by Trump.
Michigan law provides for an automatic recount if the margin of victory is 2,000 votes or fewer, or a candidate may request a recount if they have a reasonable belief that fraud or mistake affected the outcome. Nevada does not have automatic recounts, but a candidate can request one at their expense within three days of certification. North Carolina allows a candidate to request a recount if the margin of victory is within 0.5% of votes cast, or 10,000 votes, whichever is less. In Pennsylvania, an automatic recount is triggered if the margin is within 0.5% between candidates, or three voters can request a precinct recount if they allege fraud or error. In Wisconsin, candidates can request a recount, but they must cover expenses if the margin of victory is larger than 0.25 percentage points.
As the 2024 election nears and with polls indicating a tight race, the possibility of recounts in key battleground states has become a topic of interest. Understanding the specific rules and procedures for recounts in states expected to be closely contested will be crucial in the event of a recount being requested. While recounts generally only marginally change the outcome of a race, they can have a real effect when the vote is close enough. State laws outline the conditions under which recounts can be requested, ranging from automatic triggers based on narrow margins to candidate-initiated requests based on suspected fraud or errors. These rules and regulations will play a critical role in ensuring the integrity and accuracy of the election results in the event of a recount.
