HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — The Hillsborough County Canvassing Board met on Thursday to start going over provisional ballots. The results of the process could impact several races, including the Florida State Senate Race for District 18.
- Board voted to accept 369 ballots, will review more Friday
- Dozens representing political parties, campaigns attended meeting
- More Hillsborough County stories
The board voted to accept 369 ballots, which were then added to the county's vote totals for all races. The board will reconvene on Friday to go over about 850 more.
"After we do the tabulation, the numbers will be uploaded to our web site and we will also upload to the state, so they will have those numbers and they can compile them into the statewide numbers," said Craig Latimer, Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections.
The board will then certify the first unofficial election results.
Dozens of people representing both political parties, campaigns and political organizations attended the Canvassing Board meeting to watch the process.
"We're just looking to see what kind of ballots that they're rejecting, what kind of ballots they're approving to be counted, and just making sure that we understand throughout the state what kind of votes are still being added to the rolls," said Ashley Walker, who attended to observe.
Latimer said if the state orders re-counts, his office will be ready.
"Recounts are not unusual," he explained. "What is unusual is a statewide recount, but numerous counties run county-wide recounts every election."
All counties have to get their unofficial results to the state by noon on Saturday.