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Results head for a recount after a two-vote difference

Nearly 37,000 votes case, and the final margin of victory was just two votes. Now there will officially be a recount in the race for a Chula Vista City Council seat.
Results head for a recount after a two-vote difference

CHULA VISTA (CBS 8) – Nearly 37,000 votes case, and the final margin of victory was just two votes. Now there will officially be a recount in the race for a Chula Vista City Council seat.

John McCann is Chula Vista's new council member -- at least for now.

"It's really important to assure that every single vote is counted and that it's done accurately," San Diego County Democratic Party Chair Francine Busby said.

With backing from the Democratic Party, Chula Vista Resident Humberto Peraza has formally requested a recount of the race that McCann won over Steve Padilla by just two votes.

"There could be mistakes. Machines… two could be stuck together. There can be someone who did red pen and the machine doesn't pick it up. So all it really is, is about assuring that we actually go back, because it's that close, to make sure the right person won," Peraza said.

Peraza has asked for 25 precincts to be recounted. Exactly how many votes that covers isn't yet known. The registrar must start the recount no later than Thursday.

"We felt that it was coming, and we welcome it," McCann said.

McCann will officially be sworn in Tuesday, and can only be replaced if every single ballot is recounted and it's determined Padilla has more votes. If the outcome of the race isn't reversed, the person requesting the recount has to pay for it and can stop it at any time. McCann is confident the recount will be stopped before completed.

"We scrutinized almost every vote already. All votes have been counted and that's why we believe the result will be the same," McCann said.

The cost of the initial recount is still being determined, but it's expected to be somewhere around $40,000.

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