Could there be a recount on Missouri’s sports betting vote? Here’s what to know
The margin has narrowed for Missouri’s Amendment 2, which could legalize sports gambling in the state if passed.
Missouri voters woke up after election night to find sports betting passing by a very small amount, just over 4,000 votes out of almost 3 million ballots.
But provisional ballots are still being counted. As that happens, the margin of victory continues to narrow, presenting the possibility of a statewide recount on Amendment 2.
As of the evening of Wednesday, Nov. 20, the “yes” vote was ahead by 2,735 votes, a difference of just 0.09%. However, the numbers are still fluctuating, according to JoDonn Chaney, director of communications for the Missouri Secretary of State’s Office.
Amendment 2 would allow people in Missouri over the age of 21 to place bets on professional and collegiate sports games in casinos and online.
How would a recount happen?
For a recount to happen, the margin of victory has to be small enough and someone has to request a recount.
A recount can be requested between Dec. 10 and Dec. 17 if the margin is less than 0.5%, a difference of approximately 14,700 votes in this case, according to Missouri law. The Amendment 2 results fall into this category, as of Nov. 20.
Missouri law has been interpreted to allow only those with “a direct interest or ‘position’ to the issue as persons who can request a recount,” according to Chaney.
The official committee opposing Amendment 2 leading up to the election was Missourians Against the Deceptive Online Gambling Amendment, so that’s the most likely candidate to request a recount.
Whoever requests a recount might be required to pay for it, according to Missouri law.
What do supporters and opponents of Amendment 2 say?
The opposing committee and other groups against Amendment 2 did not respond to requests for comment on whether they intended to request a recount.
Jack Cardetti, spokesperson for Winning for Missouri Education, which advocated for the amendment, said that they do not expect a recount, citing a report from earlier in November that the committee wouldn’t seek one.
Do recounts usually change the results of an election?
Most recounts tend to increase the gap between the candidates, according to the nonpartisan FairVote. The results of an election changed in only three of the 36 completed statewide recounts around the country from 2000 through 2023. And those were three exceptionally close races, with an original margin of victory less than 0.06%.
For Amendment 2 to fall in this very tight category, the margin of victory would need to be fewer than 1,760 votes.
What happens if Amendment 2 passes?
The amendment would require that sports betting be allowed in the state no later than Dec. 1, 2025.
What happens if Amendment 2 fails?
Sports gambling would remain illegal in Missouri.
When will we know the official results?
Missouri general election results must be certified by state officials before Dec. 10. These will be the official vote counts, unless a recount occurs.
Have more questions about laws in Missouri? Ask the Service Journalism team at kcq@kcstar.com.
