Virginia’s Fifth District congressional election still remains too close to call. At 9:30 yesterday evening Democratic challenger Tom Perriello led Republican incumbent Virgil Goode by just 31 votes. The last ballots being counted are provisional, cast by voters who were unable to prove at the polls Tuesday that they had registered in time. Local voter registration officers will canvass during the next week to verify the status of all provisional and electronic ballots.
Although he only has a slim lead, Perriello remains confident of victory. According to a statement released by Perriello’s spokesperson Jessica Barba, Perriello is certain that “when everyone’s vote is counted he will win this election and move ahead with his agenda for economic revival in the Fifth District.”
University Democrats President Sarah Buckley agreed, saying “every vote should be counted, and when they are, [Perriello] will pull it out.”
Buckley explained that in past years nearly all provisional ballots have gone to Democrats because they are cast mostly by student and black voters.
She also noted that this type of situation is “proof that every vote counts.”
College Republicans President Savanna Rutherford disagreed, however, pointing out that Perriello’s lead is insignificant. She said after an inevitable recount, Goode will continue into his seventh term as a member of the United States House of Representatives.
The Associated Press declared victory for Goode Tuesday night but retracted its statement just minutes later. Despite this letdown, Goode said in a short speech Tuesday that his campaign remains optimistic. He was not available for comment yesterday.
Because of Virginia election law standards, a recount seems likely. Under Virginia election laws, a candidate may request a recount if the winner was decided by a margin of one percent or less. If decided by a margin of half a percent or less, the recount is funded with tax dollars. Yesterday evening Perriello led Goode by .01 percent.
Although this is a very close election, Cordel Faulk, director of communications at the University Center for Politics, said it is not entirely unusual. He said Virginia has had close elections for the offices of governor and congressman many times before Tuesday.
“It’s part of the Virginia tradition of political split,” he said.
The results of the election most likely will not be available for some time because until the original ballots are verified, neither candidate can file for a recount, said Valerie Jones, deputy secretary at the Virginia Board of Elections. This ballot certification process will be completed by Nov. 24; after this date the losing candidate will have 10 days to file for a recount.
Two other House races remain undecided. According to major news sources, races between Frank Kratovil (D) and Andy Harris (R) of Maryland’s First District, and Tom McClintock (R) and Charlie Brown (D) of California’s Fourth District, also are currently too close to call.
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