Prior to the recount in CT-02, Democrat Joe Courtney led by fewer than 200 votes over incumbent Republican Rob Simmons. Over the past few days, towns have been rechecking their vote totals - usually by just opening up the machine and making sure the number reads the same as the one reported. Recounts must be completed by Wednesday night.
The recount seemed to be going well for Courtney - Simmons netted under a dozen votes after the first few days' recanvassing, that is until Lebanon noticed a critical error. According to
My Left Nutmeg:
One machine had 263 votes for Courtney, not 363, as recorded on election night, said Town Clerk Susan Coutu.
The total count for Courtney in Lebanon is 1,353 and 1,585 for Simmons, she said.
"It was strictly human error," Coutu said.
That means Courtney's 166 vote margin is now down to 66 with many towns left to recount. Keep your shirts on Nutmeggers, this one isn't won yet.