James still trails Bentley with all boxes in

Published 11:21 am Wednesday, June 2, 2010

The Associated Press is reporting 100 percent of the boxes in across the state and Greenville businessman Tim James still trails fellow candidate Robert Bentley in the race to make a runoff to become the Republican candidate for governor.

Bentley has 123,870 votes to James’ 123,662 votes, according to the AP.

Whoever comes in second will face Bradley Bryne in a runoff on July 13. Byrne received the most votes on Tuesday night with 137,349.

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Totals should include all absentee ballots, but provisional ballots will still have to be counted, which can’t happen for a week, according to Alabama law. Provisional ballots are cast by a voter if their eligibility is in question.

A recount can occur if either Bentley or James request it, but only after the results are certified.

Secretary of State Beth Chapman held a news conference on Wednesday to address the situation.

“It has been more than 25 years since Alabama has faced such a close primary election. What we face today is unprecedented,” Chapman said. “We are definitely sailing in uncommon waters and we will work hard to make sure we follow the letter of the law and continue to provide the most fair and honest elections possible.”