Delaware GOP challenges Kent Co. election results

Even though a recount declared the Republican candidate for Kent County Recorder of Deeds the winner, the Delaware GOP is challenging the results.

The Delaware Republican Party, the Kent County Republican Party and candidate La Mar Gunn formally challenged the election recount process and certification of the election in Kent County Superior Court today. The GOP wants the court to conduct a thorough examination of the ballots.

“This challenge is not a partisan issue. It is an issue of all voters being able to have confidence in their democracy and the basic principal of one person, one vote,” said Charlie Copeland, chair of the Delaware GOP, in a statement.

On Election Day, Gunn won the local race by two votes. Under Delaware state law, a recount of the ballots was required.

When the Kent County Board of Canvass conducted three recounts two days later on Nov. 6, Copeland said no two recounts produced the same results.  

“In the first recount, Mr. Gunn’s lead increased from 2 to 3 votes. In the second recount, Mr. Gunn’s lead increased to 7 votes. Yet, on the third recount the Democratic candidate had a 2 vote lead,” said Copeland, pointing out that Mr. Gunn lost a vote in the third recount from that determined by the Dept. of Elections on election night.

Copeland said a fourth recount should have been conducted.

“How the eventual vote totals can show that Mr. Gunn lost votes is inconceivable,” Copeland said. “The decision by the Board to certify at this point creates doubt as to the true victor in this race and we seek only a completely transparent process so that the candidates and the public can have total confidence in the final election results.”