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- calendar_today November 9, 2026
Introduction: Two Races Trigger Recounts in Brevard County
Two major electoral contests in Brevard County, Florida, are set for machine recounts after the races ended with close vote margins within the state’s recount guidelines. The affected races include the contest for State Representative District 33, covering West Melbourne and Palm Bay, and a position on the City of Cape Canaveral City Council.
Why Machine Recounts Are Required
According to Florida’s recount guidelines, any race separated by 0.5% or less must undergo a machine recount to ensure the accuracy of election results. In both the State House District 33 and Cape Canaveral council contests, the vote margins were narrow enough to trigger this process during the ongoing 2026 elections.
State House District 33: Close Election Results Lead to Recount
The State House District 33 race featured incumbent Republican Monique Miller and Democratic challenger Daniel McDow. The unofficial vote tallies show Daniel McDow receiving 50.2% of the vote compared to Monique Miller’s 49.8%—a mere 289 votes apart. This margin meets the statutory threshold, which mandates a machine recount for any margin of 0.5% or less in close election results.
Cape Canaveral City Council: Third Seat Hangs in Balance
For the City of Cape Canaveral City Council, three seats were on the ballot on Election Day. Kay Jackson and Don Willis secured the first and second council seats. The final seat, however, is undecided as Brad Pervell and Dan Coon remain separated by only 0.2%. Under Florida law, if after the machine recount the margin drops to 0.25% or less, a hand recount will be conducted to further verify the outcome. This underscores the importance of following proper recount guidelines in contested races.
Details and Timeline of the Recount Process
The election recount process is slated to begin at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, November 10, at the Election Support Center, located at 525 N. John Rodes Blvd., Melbourne, Florida. If any contest’s results fall within the 0.25% margin following the machine count, officials will proceed with a hand recount in accordance with state laws.
Significance of Vote Margins During 2026 Elections
The triggered machine recount highlights the significance of every ballot, especially in competitive districts. With both the State House and the Cape Canaveral council races undergoing scrutiny due to tight vote margins, the outcomes are set to illustrate the importance of procedural checks and transparency in Florida’s electoral processes during the 2026 elections.
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Source: clickorlando.com.
