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Will There Be A Recount In The US Senate Race In Alabama?

Automatic recounts in Alabama only happen if a candidate loses by half a percent. But that doesn't mean Roy Moore can't ask for one anyway.

By: Lindsey Pulse

Posted at 9:06 AM, Dec 13, 2017

and last updated 2017-12-13 09:06:16-05

"Realize that when the vote is this close it is not over. And we've still got to go by the rules about this recount provision," Republican U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore said.

Moore floated the idea of a recount after news outlets started declaring victory for Democratic candidate Doug Jones. But how feasible is that?

As it stands, Moore has little chance of an automatic recount. Alabama law only allows for automatic recounts if a candidate loses by half a percentage point or less.

As of Wednesday morning, Jones had a 1.5 percent lead over Moore.

But Moore can still call for a recount — if he's willing to pay for it.

Alabama's Secretary of State told CNN any candidate can ask for a recount. But he also said the outcome of this election is "highly unlikely" to change.

The Washington Post reports Alabama's Republican Party said it wouldn't support Moore's recount push.