Judge denies Allen West recount request

(TCPALM.COM) FORT PIERCE — A St. Lucie County Circuit Court judge denied Allen West’s request for a recount of all the county’s early votes in his District 18 race, which narrowly favored Patrick Murphy.

Judge Dan Vaughn said the circuit court didn’t have the authority to grant a recount in this case. However, Vaughn said the canvassing board can act on its own accord as it considers an early voting recount at a 4 p.m. meeting.

Lawyers for Patrick Murphy, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Congressional District 18, said if the canvassing board decides to recount all early votes Friday afternoon, they would be breaking the law. They said statute only lets canvassing boards retabulate the precincts and days that have specific problems, not a blanket recounting of votes.