UPDATE: GOP to Lose Control of Virginia House of Delegates as One Citizen’s Vote Hands Democrat a Seat
Think Your Vote Doesn’t Count? Think Again.
A recount in one race will determine if Republicans lose control of the Virginia House of Delegates. Right now, that recount rests on the vote of one citizen. Not a lawmaker’s vote, but there literally is one vote separating the two candidates for Virginia’s 94th District seat.Â
(See update below.)
After being down all day, the Dem is currently up by ONE VOTE in the last moments of the recount that will determine control of the VA House. https://t.co/FFnm8yOINU
— Angus Johnston (@studentactivism) December 19, 2017
Newport News Democrat Shelly Simonds (photo) currently leads Republican David Yancey in the recount. The original count had put Yancey ahead of Simonds by just ten votes.
To anyone, no matter your party affiliation, who thinks their vote doesn’t matter or count: The entire balance of power in the Virginia House of Delegates right now is contingent on a single vote. https://t.co/l3i2xpJeSG
— Matt Viser (@mviser) December 19, 2017
If the recount finds Simonds won more votes, not only will she have beaten the GOP incumbent, but the House of Delegates will be evenly split, 50-50. Before the November election Republicans had the majority, 66-34.Â
#BREAKING: @vademocrats say the recount gives Democrat Shelly Simonds a 1 vote lead in the HD-94 race which would flip the contest from R to D. Waiting for confirmation @nbcwashington
— Julie Carey (@JulieCareyNBC) December 19, 2017
Then next time you consider not “bothering” to vote, or know someone who just can’t be bothered because they think their vote doesn’t count, remember Virginia.
If you are just tuning in, balance of power in Virginia’s House of Delegates rests on this recount right now. Democrat Shelly Simonds is ahead by one vote after trailing behind post-election by ten votes. If she keeps this win, it’s a 50-50 D-R House.
— Reema Amin (@reemadamin) December 19, 2017
In the absentees, Yancey and Simonds each picked up one vote. Simonds’ one-vote lead remains.
— Reema Amin (@reemadamin) December 19, 2017
Stay tuned!Â
UPDATE I: 3:55 PM ET –
BREAKING: Democrat Shelly Simonds appears to win Virginia House seat by A SINGLE VOTE, according to preliminary unofficial recount results.
Would mean 50-50 split of House.
Judge panel must certify results. Legal challenge probably coming.— Jordan Pascale (@JWPascale) December 19, 2017
The Washington Post reports at 3:49 PM: “Democrat wins Va. House seat in recount by single vote, creating 50-50 tie in legislature.”
“Democrat Shelly Simonds emerged from the recount as the apparent winner in the 94th District of the House of Delegates, seizing the seat from Republican incumbent David Yancey. A three-judge panel still must certify the results, an event scheduled for Wednesday.”
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