FORT MYERS, Fla. — A Fort Myers District 4 candidate says she’s demanding a recount, even though it’s unlikely.

Lee County Supervisors of Elections say Florida statute determines when a recount is necessary.

Fort Myers District 4 candidate demands recount even though it’s unlikely

“My main concern is that every vote is counted,” says Dr. Cindy Banyai, who ran against incumbent Liston Bochette and lost by 77 votes.

Banyai says she is concerned about the accuracy of the election, specifically the counting of provisional and mail-in ballots.

Miyoshi Price reached out to Bochette for comment but has not yet heard back.

“I felt very proud that we were very close,” Banyai says. “But then I knew we wanted to make sure every vote was counted, so I started looking at the options we have.”

During a canvassing board meeting at the Lee County Supervisors of Elections office on Friday, Banyai expressed concern about unscanned ballots, even though the ballots come from all over Lee County.

“There were people who had votes that needed to be counted,” Banyai says.

“So those are people who voted by mail, but they were missing a signature.”

At the meeting, the board decided to add a large stack of verified Election Day ballots, which are from across the county, to the count.

No votes were changed in the District 4 race after the meeting.

Lee County Supervisor of Elections Tommy Doyle says a recount is less likely.

“A mandatory recount is triggered when there is half of the 1%,” Doyle says.

He says that in the Banyai race the difference is 1.58%.

“It’s very clear in Florida statute what determines a recount,” Doyle says.

Banyai says he won’t rest and will seek legal action after learning there may have been issues with ballots during early voting and voting by mail.

The Supervisors of Elections office shares that ““The small number that was reported was forwarded to the voter and the issue was resolved.”