Volusia's Closest Races: Margins of 12 to 1,572 Votes Decided Seats and a Charter Amendment

A dozen votes separated the candidates in one Volusia County city race on Nov. 3, and other contests were decided by fewer than 100 votes, according to unofficial results. Turnout was about 59%.

The closest contests

Orange City Council, District 3: Brett Marquez led Sherry Pough by 12 votes, 50.62% to 49.38%.

Oak Hill City Commission, Seat 3: Terry Mason led Joseph A. Catigano by 37 votes, 51.75% to 48.25%.

Pierson Town Council, Seat 1: Linnie Richardson led Julie M. Chrisp by 44 votes, 54.76% to 45.24%.

Deltona City Commission, District 6: Christian O'Brien led incumbent Chris Nabicht by 45 votes, 50.42% to 49.58%.

Daytona Beach City Commission, Zone 1: Incumbent Monica Paris led John Navarro by 96 votes, 51.46% to 48.54%.

Daytona Beach City Commission, Zone 3: Steve Miller led Quanita May by 98 votes, 51.60% to 48.40%.

Volusia County Council, District 5: J. David Sosa led incumbent David Santiago by 516 votes, 50.70% to 49.30%.

County Charter Amendment 5 (conservation land registry): Passed by 1,572 votes, 50.37% to 49.63%.

County Charter Amendment 3 (constitutional officers): Passed, 51.10% to 48.90%.

Turnout

The Supervisor of Elections reported 238,164 ballots cast out of 401,708 registered voters, or 59%.

Will there be a recount?

Under Florida law, a machine recount is triggered when the margin between candidates is 0.5% or less of the votes cast, according to Fox 13's explainer of Florida's recount rules. If that recount leaves a margin below 0.25%, the state orders a manual recount.

Based on the unofficial percentages above, none of these races falls at or below the 0.5% line. The closest by percentage is Amendment 5, at about 0.74 points, followed by Deltona District 6 at about 0.84 points and Orange City District 3 at about 1.24 points. Final margins can change slightly as the last ballots are counted.

Why totals can still change

Mail voters whose ballots were flagged for a missing or mismatched signature had until 5 p.m. on the Thursday after Election Day to correct them. Overseas ballots postmarked or dated by Election Day are counted if received within 10 days after a general election. County election boards then review those ballots before the results are certified.

What happens next

Results are unofficial until the county canvassing board certifies them. The Volusia Voice will report certified results and any changes.