Following the final canvass of the vote-by-mail ballots and provisional ballots cast in the Aug. 23 primary election, a determination was made by the Canvassing Board that a machine recount was required for County Commission District 4 race.
The 175 votes separating Jeremiah Blocker and Krista Keating-Joseph represented a 0.46% difference in votes cast for each candidate. As the difference was less than 0.50% of the votes cast in the race, a machine recount is required by law.
In response, the Canvassing Board ordered a machine recount be conducted Saturday, Aug. 27, at the Supervisor of Elections Office. As the office prepared for a recount, Supervisor of Elections Vicky Oakes received a letter from Blocker late in the afternoon on Friday, Aug. 26:
“It has been my honor to serve the citizens of SJC as the Commissioner from District 4 over the last 4 years. With all of the ballots now officially accounted for, it appears my campaign has come up short. Therefore, I am not seeking a recount in my race for St. Johns County Commission District 4. I appreciate the hard work of the elections staff during this cycle.”
Oakes presented Blocker’s letter during the Aug. 27 Canvassing Board meeting. Respecting Blocker’s request and rights, the board subsequently rescinded the recount order for the County Commission District 4 race.
Due to this this action, St. Johns County’s 2022 primary election is now complete, and all results are final and have been certified to the Division of Elections. Keating-Joseph will face a write-in candidate in the general election on Nov. 8.
