AB 124

Currently, any candidate who receives votes in an election and any elector who

votes in a referendum may petition for a recount of the votes cast. The petitioner does

not have to pay for the recount if the difference between the votes cast for the leading

candidate and those cast for the petitioner, or the difference between the affirmative

and negative votes cast on the referendum question, is less than 10 if 1,000 or fewer

votes are cast or not more than 0.5 percent of the total votes cast for the office or on

the question if more than 1,000 votes are cast.

Currently, if the difference between the votes cast for the leading candidate and

those cast for the petitioner, or the difference between the affirmative and negative

votes cast on the referendum question, is at least 10 if 1,000 or fewer votes are cast

or is more than 0.5 percent, but not more than 2 percent if more than 1,000 votes are

cast, the petitioner must pay a fee equal to $5 for each ward for which the petitioner

requests a recount.

Finally, if the difference between the votes cast for the leading candidate and

those cast for the petitioner, or the difference between the affirmative and negative

votes cast on the referendum question, is more than 2 percent if more than 1,000

votes are cast, the petitioner pays the actual cost of performing the recount.

This bill provides that, if the difference between the votes cast for the leading

candidate and those cast for the petitioner, or the difference between the affirmative

and negative votes cast on the referendum question, is less than 10 if 4,000 or fewer

votes are cast or not more than 0.25 percent of the total votes cast for the office or on

the question if more than 4,000 votes are cast, the petitioner does not pay for the

recount. Under any other circumstance, the petitioner pays the actual cost of

performing the recount. However, if the recount overturns the result of the election

or referendum, the petitioner receives a refund of the recount fees.