James and Bentley may still be too close to call

Published 4:47 pm Thursday, June 3, 2010

While voters can expect to see Bradley Byrne in the republican runoff, it is still unclear whether he will face Tim James or Robert Bentley.

Press releases from Bentley and James paint a conflicting picture of the upcoming runoff.

“I believe my success today is due to my focus on putting Alabamians back to work, cleaning out Montgomery, and offering substantive solutions to Alabama’s problems,” Bentley said. “Now that the primary is over and the runoff begins, I ask that all Republican voters consider voting for me in the election.”

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James, however, still views the race as up in the air.

“There are an estimated 1,000 ballots that have yet to be counted. This race is still not settled,” James said. “Now is the time for the people of Alabama to make sure their vote has been counted.”

In the press release, James identifies provisional and absentee voters as those who need to make sure their vote was counted. Voters unsure of whether their vote counted can check with their local Board of Registrars to provide any missing information no later than June 4 at 5 p.m.

Bentley and James can request a recount, but this can only be done after the results are certified, said secretary of state Beth Chapman.

“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.”

According to the AP, only 208 votes separate the two, with Bentley picking up 123,870 votes and James with 123,662.