Monetary value of media recount to candidate Donna Frye.

Today's Union-Tribue clarifies that the media recount requests seek only to count the invalid write-in ballots. The cost of that recount is a minimum of $2,000 for today's work. (A later story in today's Union-Tribune suggests the examination of the invalid votes could conclude today: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/politics/20041214-1142-recount.html) A full recount of all votes cast could cost from $150,000 to $200,000.

Frye, the losing write-in candidate, chose not to ask for her own recount, although some of her supporters did. Frye is keeping her options open on filing an election contest lawsuit before January 7, 2005, as she awaits the results of the recounts. Whatever she chooses to do the media's recounts have benefited Frye financially by paying for the examination of the invalid votes and by saving her from seeking a full recount before she goes to court. Of greater importance, the media recounts are providing the evidence she needs to contest the election.

-tdr