CENTRE– State Sen. Andrew Jones said Tuesday he trails Jesse Battles by 72 votes and will await an automatic recount before issuing a final election statement.

His November 10 update followed Battles’ swearing-in at the Etowah County Courthouse. Jones said officials have now counted the provisional and write-in votes, leaving District 10 within Alabama’s automatic recount threshold.

However, Jones emphasized that his campaign had not requested an additional procedure outside state law.

“To be clear: this recount is not something extra that we have asked for,” he said.

Although Jones acknowledged the difficulty of reversing the outcome, he said an accurate count remains important.

“Although it would be an uphill climb for us to pull out a win at this point, I remain firm in my belief that every vote needs to be accurately counted,” Jones said.

“The automatic recount process exists in state law to ensure the integrity of our elections. Our team is waiting on the recount to be completed before making a final statement about the election.”

Candidates Report Slightly Different Margins

Jones reported a 72-vote deficit after the provisional and write-in count. Meanwhile, Battles’ campaign previously announced a 74-vote victory margin.

WEIS is still awaiting a complete, reconciled breakdown from election officials, and the results remain unofficial. However, both reported margins fall within the range for an automatic recount if they hold at certification.

District 10 includes Cherokee County, Etowah County, and part of DeKalb County. Only votes from the District 10 portion of DeKalb contribute to this race.

What Happens Before a Recount

First, county election officials check and compile the returns at a public meeting called a canvass. Alabama’s election calendar schedules that step for noon Friday, November 13.

The county returns then go to the secretary of state for the state process. State law sets November 25 as the deadline for the state canvass.

Under Alabama Code Section 17-16-20, a certified margin of half a percent or less requires an automatic recount unless properly waived.

The defeated Senate candidate can waive the recount in writing within 24 hours after certification. However, Jones’ statement says his team intends to await the recount before making its final statement.

Without a waiver, the recount must begin within 72 hours after state certification. That deadline governs when the recount starts, rather than when it must finish.

Officials then run the ballots through the counting equipment again. If the machine rejects a ballot that counted originally, officials count it by hand.

The state pays for an automatic Senate recount. Afterward, officials update the certification to reflect the recount results.

Campaign Sign Collection

Jones also said his campaign has collected its signs, except for those that may remain in supporters’ yards.

Supporters can also message the campaign to arrange pickup. Alternatively, Jones listed three locations where they can return signs:

• Southern House of Flowers, 396 Steele Station Road, Rainbow City, AL 35906.
• Cherokee GOP Headquarters, 499 Clarence E Chesnut Jr. Bypass, Centre, AL 35960. Leave signs under the left side awning.
• Farm and Friend General Veterinary Services, 750 County Road 202, Centre, AL 35960.

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