Camara Blue, the Democratic challenger for Jefferson County Commission District 3, announced Tuesday that he will request a recount after the final, unofficial vote tally showed him trailing incumbent Republican Jimmie Stephens by 392 votes.

Vote totals and margin

The Election Commission’s count, completed after more than three and a half hours of ballot processing, gave Stephens 26,609 votes (50.33%) and Blue 26,217 votes (49.59%). The gap of .74 percent falls short of the one‑half‑percent threshold that would shift the cost of a recount to the county.

Reasons for a recount

Blue said his request is motivated by “just clarity, peace of mind,” emphasizing the importance of confidence in the electoral process for Jefferson County voters.

Election officials’ comments

BARRY STEPHENSON, head of the county’s board of registrars, confirmed that every vote—including military and overseas absentee ballots—has been counted. “All provisionals and all absentee overseas are in,” he said, noting that six overseas absentee ballots were added during the final count, bringing the total to 481 provisional ballots.

JEFFERSON COUNTY CIRCUIT CLERK JACKIE ANDERSON‑SMITH explained that a recount would essentially replicate the original election environment, requiring the same voting machines and staffing at each precinct. When asked about cost, she replied, “A lot,” and indicated that the exact amount would be provided if Blue proceeds.

Next steps

According to state law, the official election results will be certified at noon on Friday. After certification, a candidate may formally file for a recount. The county will cover the expense only if the margin of victory is less than one‑half of one percent; at .74 percent, the county would bear the cost.

Local impact

The District 3 race is closely watched because it reflects the political balance in Jefferson County, a region that has seen competitive contests in recent cycles. Both candidates stressed the importance of voter participation and the integrity of the counting process.

Residents who wish to follow the recount process can attend the proceedings at the county election office. Officials encourage continued civic engagement and remind voters that every ballot matters in shaping local governance.

Original reporting: BirminghamWatch — read the source article.