Brochin files for manual recount of all votes cast, ballots to be reviewed starting Thursday

Board of Elections workers count provisional ballots July 6

The campaign of Jim Brochin, who lost the Democratic primary race for Baltimore County executive by the slimmest of margins, on Tuesday formally filed for a recount. 

The Baltimore County Board of Elections says the recount will start Thursday and should be completed by about Tuesday or Wednesday of next week. 

Brochin, a state senator, lost to former state delegate John Olszewski Jr. by just nine votes.

“I don’t see how we couldn’t [petition for a recount],” Brochin said by phone Friday. “For nine votes you have to be certain. And if we lose we’ll accept it and be adults and move on.”

Under state law, if the final votes show a result in which two candidates are within 0.1 percent of each other, either candidate can formally request a recount and his or her campaign would not have to pay for it. There are four types of recounts, according to the state Board of Elections: 

• Option 1: A manual tabulation of printed reports from early voting, election day and the absentee and provisional ballot canvasses.  Printed reports from precinct tabulators and high speed scanners (if available) are examined and manually tabulated
• Option 2: A re-scan of voted paper ballots involved in the recount using precinct tabulators or high speed scanner (if available) to reproduce early voting, precinct or absentee or provisional ballot canvass totals
• Option 3: A manual recount of voted paper ballots involved in the recount
• Option 4: A manual recount of ballot images of voted ballots involved in the recount

Brochin’s campaign filed for option 3 — a manual recount of all votes. A spokesman for Olszewski’s campaign said they are not opposing the recount. 

At a news conference Friday evening, Olszewski was asked about his slim lead and the potential for a recount. 

“We are thrilled to be where we are and we trust the process,” he responded, “and we look forward to tomorrow and to the day after.”

For details on the logistics of the recount, see this Maryland Matters article.