Susan Candiotti on Broward County's first-ever hand recount

November 15, 2000
Web posted at: 4:18 p.m. EST (2118 GMT)

Susan Candiotti

CNN Correspondent Susan Candiotti is reporting from the Broward County Emergency Operations Center -- a building typically used for hurricane emergencies. She spoke with CNN.com about the hand recount in Broward County.

Q: Describe for us the mood inside that hurricane bunker?

CANDIOTTI: They all look pretty fresh and well-rested. I see people tapping their knees, appearing engaged. People are moving about quickly. There's an air of expectation in the room.

There are nervous, because they realize they are making history. This has never been done before.

Normally, this building is used whenever there is a hurricane in the area and then the building is activated with emergency personnel from various departments. Certainly, the activity level in the building is as busy as if there was a hurricane in the area.

Q: What is security like inside the building?

Security is very tight. For one thing, everyone is wearing a security badge. Vote counters, examiners, representatives of both the Democratic and Republican parties and the news media are all wearing badges.

The news media is working in a secure area. If we leave the two rooms where we are located, we must be escorted. We are able to view what's going on through four large glass windows that overlook the main examination room.

At each table, there will be one representative from the supervisor of elections office, one person from each political party and one examiner of ballots. The examiners will be using what's called a two-corners standard when looking at a ballot. You've heard about the pregnant chads. The Broward County canvassing board has elected to use the two-corners standard, meaning at least two corners must be punched out from the ballot card in order for them to determine it is a valid vote.

They feel that is a far more objective and fair way to do it.

This is the first time there's ever been a hand recount in Broward County's history.

Q: How long is the process expected to take?

CANDIOTTI: They estimate it will take 4 1/2 days if they work 10 hour days. For instance, on Thursday, they plan on working from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. In addition to all of this, they also have to worry about counting the overseas absentee ballots, which must be in by midnight Friday.

Originally, they had talked about beginning to count those Friday night. Now, they're saying the probably won't get to the counting of the overseas ballots until Monday to allow for the midnight Friday deadline to be met.