Suffolk County election officials are preparing to recanvass all votes in the 3rd Assembly District. A special election there left two candidates divided by fewer than 200 votes.
State Elections spokesman John Conklin says the recanvass is the first step in certifying a winner. Officials also have to count up to 931 absentee ballots issued in the race. Absentee ballots are due back within seven days of Tuesday’s election.
With all districts reporting, Republican Dean Murray leads Democrat Lauren Thoden, 4,186-4,000.
The Assembly seat covering part of Suffolk’s South Shore and part of Fire Island was open because incumbent Patricia Eddington was elected Brookhaven town clerk in November. Thoden worked on Eddington’s staff.
Election officials were unavailable Wednesday because of a snowstorm.
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Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.