Howard still winner after District 48 recount

By: YNN Staff

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The recount for the House race for District 48 was completed Thursday. The original count declared Democrat incumbent Donna Howard the winner by a 16 vote difference, and after Thursday's recount, she held onto her seat by just 12 votes.

Republican challenger Dan Neil called for the recount after the Nov. 2 elections, hoping such a small margin might have been due to human error.

"My intent my goal from day one is for the voter's voice to be heard. That's what elections are about,” Neil said. “We saw that on election day this year and this race is no different. I want the voter's voice to be heard in this race also."

Neil says he will likely challenge the recount and is questioning how some overseas ballots were counted.

Statement from the Donna Howard campaign

Below is a statement from Attorney Buck Wood with the Donna Howard campaign regarding Thursday's recount.

“In questioning the county’s treatment of limited ballots cast by overseas voters, Mr. Neil has jumped to conclusions that the facts do not support.

Under the law, certain voters, primarily civilians living overseas indefinitely, are allowed to vote only in federal races. Those persons are simply not allowed to vote in the HD 48 race. Travis County election officials correctly counted their ballots.

Even if those voters wanted to vote for Ms. Howard or Mr. Neil, their votes are not allowed in this race.

In essence, Mr. Neil has raised a non-issue."