4th District update: Still too close to call

By Hayden O'Shea • Published November 14, 2018 • Filed under Community • 0 Comments

Please note: This archived article is provided for personal use only, and the information contained in this article may be out of date.

The race for Utah’s 4th Congressional District still has no conclusion, as current numbers are too close to call.

Since election night, Democrat Ben McAdams has held a slight lead over Republican incumbent Mia Love. Utah County and Salt Lake County still have a significant number of votes to be counted, which could completely turn the tide of the election.

Utah County saw long lines at voting centers and wait times that stretched late into the evening.

In an interview with Deseret News, Gov. Gary Herbert called Utah County the “epicenter of dysfunction” when it comes to election night.

“Year after year, we see lots of complaints and long lines coming out of Utah County,” he said.

As of 12:30 p.m. MST Wednesday, Utah County has reported counting 84 percent of their votes, according to The New York Times. Salt Lake County has reported 85 percent, while Juab and Sanpete counties have reported 100 percent.

Love won both Juab and Sanpete counties by large margins, getting almost 2,000 more votes in each county against McAdams. McAdams is ahead of Love in Salt Lake County by more than 15,000 votes.

Utah County has been Love’s stronghold in past elections, and the current reported votes reflect that. With 84 percent reporting, Love is in the lead with 18,587 votes, compared to 6,395 for McAdams.

For there to be a recount in Utah, a candidate must request it, but only if they lose by margins of 0.25 percent or less. As of right now, Love does not have the margins to request a recount, however thousands of votes have yet to be counted.

Most campaigns will take the recount if they have the option, so it will be no surprise if one happens here. Many states require a mandatory recount for small margins, such as Florida, but Utah candidates must request one after the law changed a few years ago.

According to The Salt Lake Tribune, Love’s campaign manager Dave Hansen said “obviously, we’re taking a look at it,” when asked about a recount.

The results for the election in Utah’s 4th Congressional District should be completed by Nov. 26.