SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico Land Commissioner Ray Powell wants the state Supreme Court to intervene in a recount in his close statewide race with Republican challenger Aubrey Dunn.
The State Canvassing Board last week ordered a recount in the race between Dunn and the Democratic incumbent when the latest tally showed Dunn with a 704-vote lead out of nearly 500,000 votes cast in the Nov. 4 general election race.
Powell's petition to the Supreme Court contends that the board's plans for the recount would use improper procedures that don't track state law and wouldn't properly check the accuracy of vote tabulating machines.
Rod Adair is spokesman for Secretary of State Dianna Duran. He says the board's procedure would be more accurate than what Powell wants.
The recount is scheduled to begin Monday.