Carmen Llanes Pulido, the candidate who came in second place in the Austin mayoral race, has officially filed a petition for a recount in 11 precincts within Williamson County. These precincts account for 16,167 out of 16,359 votes cast in Williamson County, which is about 99% of the total votes. Llanes Pulido emphasized the importance of ensuring that every vote is counted due to the narrow margin and irregularities in the election cycle.
The current Austin Mayor, Kirk Watson, won more than 50% of the overall vote in the general election, narrowly avoiding a runoff by less than 20 votes. However, if the recount yields the same results, Watson will maintain his victory. Llanes Pulido mentioned that there could be further steps in this process as she gathers information and seeks legal counsel to proceed in the best interest of the voters.
Political science professor Brian Smith noted that a recount would be costly and time-consuming, putting Llanes Pulido at a disadvantage if it leads to a runoff election. With limited funds in her campaign reserves, a potential runoff would be financially challenging for Llanes Pulido. The recount will specifically focus on the votes in the identified precincts, without requalifying voters or examining how they were qualified to vote.
Once a recount petition is approved, it must take place within seven days or after all ballots are delivered to the election records custodian. The city is currently reviewing the petition, and the exact date for the recount has not been determined. Both Llanes Pulido and Watson’s campaign teams will be informed of the recount’s schedule. The city assured that they would follow the necessary procedures and rules for the recount.
As the process unfolds, KXAN will continue to provide updates on the recount and its outcomes. The decision to request a recount reflects Llanes Pulido’s commitment to transparency and accountability in the electoral process, ensuring that every vote is properly accounted for. The residents of Austin await the results of the recount to determine the final outcome of the mayoral race.
