Workers at the Miami‑Dade Elections headquarters began a machine recount of close to 250,000 ballots on Monday, November 9, 2026, in the razor‑thin U.S. House District 27 contest between incumbent Republican Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar and Democrat Eliott Rodriguez. The recount matters to Miami residents because the race is within the .25 percent margin that triggers a state‑mandated recount, ensuring every legal vote is counted accurately.
According to NBC Miami, the recount started shortly before 11 a.m. after staff tested the tabulation machines for proper operation. Election Day ballots were processed first and wrapped up by Monday evening; the plan then called for early‑vote and vote‑by‑mail ballots to be counted. Assistant county attorney Michael Valdes warned that “a ballot may get torn, may get ripped and may stop the process,” and that any ballot that cannot run through the machine will be set aside for duplication and review by the canvassing board.
The three‑member canvassing board overseeing the recount includes county judges Jose Rohaidy and Victoria Ferrer, along with elections supervisor Alina Garcia, a Republican. Garcia’s son‑in‑law is representing the Salazar campaign, a fact that prompted Rodriguez’s campaign to seek her removal from the board. A federal judge denied that motion, allowing Garcia to remain on the board, as reported by NBC Miami.
At the start of the recount, Salazar held a narrow lead of 1,090 votes over Rodriguez. Valdes explained that if the final margin is .25 percent or less, a manual recount will follow; otherwise, the machine recount will conclude the process. Rodriguez issued a statement emphasizing the “sanctity of the vote” and the importance of the recount as a safeguard established by Florida law.
The recount was ordered by the Florida Secretary of State and is being conducted at the Miami‑Dade Election Headquarters in Doral. While the race remains unofficial, the transparent process reflects the community’s commitment to accurate election outcomes and upholds the democratic principles valued by Miami‑Dade voters.
What’s next: The canvassing board expects to finish the machine count by Tuesday morning, after which any ballots requiring duplication will be reviewed. If the final margin stays within the .25 percent threshold, a manual recount will commence later this week. The final certification of the District 27 winner is slated for the coming days, pending completion of all recount procedures.
Sources: nbcmiami.com, nbcmiami.com, nbcmiami.com
