Changes

The three way race attracted national attention. From around the country conservatives rushed to support Hoffman. Polls in late October showed support for liberal Republican candidate [[Dede Scozzafava]] collapse, as independents moved to the Conservative candidate Hoffman. She dropped out on Oct. 31 and endorsed Democrat [[Bill Owens]], who carried the traditional Democratic vote.  Early results show Hoffman lost the election, receiving 45% of the vote; Owens totaled 49%.

The three way race attracted national attention. From around the country conservatives rushed to support Hoffman. Polls in late October showed support for liberal Republican candidate [[Dede Scozzafava]] collapse, as independents moved to the Conservative candidate Hoffman. She dropped out on Oct. 31 and endorsed Democrat [[Bill Owens]], who carried the traditional Democratic vote.  Early results show Hoffman lost the election, receiving 45% of the vote; Owens totaled 49%.

On November 12, a recanvassing in the 11-county district show that Owens lead has narrowed to 3,026 votes over Hoffman, 66,698 to 63,672, according to the latest unofficial results from the state Board of Elections.  Syracuse local news reported that the new vote totals mean the race will be decided by [[absentee ballots]], of which about 10,200 were distributed, said John Conklin, communications director for the state Board of Elections.<ref>Mark Weiner. [http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2009/11/its_not_over_recanvassing_shows_ny23_race.html Recanvassing shows NY-23 race tightens even as Rep. Bill Owens is sworn into House seat], Syracuse.com, November 12, 2009.</ref>

On November 12, a recanvassing in the 11-county district show that Owens lead has narrowed to 3,026 votes over Hoffman, 66,698 to 63,672, according to the latest unofficial results from the state Board of Elections.  Syracuse local news reported that the new vote totals mean the race will be decided by [[absentee ballots]], of which about 10,200 were distributed, said John Conklin, communications director for the state Board of Elections.<ref>Mark Weiner. [http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2009/11/its_not_over_recanvassing_shows_ny23_race.html Recanvassing shows NY-23 race tightens even as Rep. Bill Owens is sworn into House seat], Syracuse.com, November 12, 2009.</ref> On November 23, the remaining ballots were counted in the 23rd Congressional District special election. The results re-affirm the fact that Bill Owens won. Despite concerns centered on the veracity of the new voting machines used, Doug Hoffman will not be contesting the NY-23 election results.<ref>[http://www.gouverneurtimes.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8367:hoffman-will-not-challenge-election&catid=60:st-lawrence-news&Itemid=175 Hoffman Will Not Challenge Election], ''The Gouverneur Times'', November 24, 2009.</ref>  

 

Hoffman appeared on conservative commenatator [[Glenn Beck|Glenn Beck's]] radio show on November 16. Beck asked him if he would "unconcede." Doug Hoffman replied, "Yes, if I knew this information [that the vote margin was only 3,026] at the election night, I would not have conceded." Beck asked him again if he was "uncondeding" and Hoffman replied, "If that’s possible, yes."<ref>Jordan Fabian. [http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/67997-hoffman-unconcedes-in-ny-23 Hoffman 'unconcedes' in N.Y.-23], ''The Hill's Blog Briefing Room'', November 16, 2009.</ref> ''The Gouverneur Times'' reported, as of late afternoon on November 16, vote counts show Doug Hoffman now trails Bill Owens by 2,951 votes, with an additional 6,123 absentee votes as yet uncounted.<ref>Nathan Barker. [http://www.gouverneurtimes.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8024:updated-23rd-district-election-counts&catid=60:st-lawrence-news&Itemid=175 Updated 23rd District Election Counts], ''The Gouverneur Times'', November 16, 2009.</ref>  

[[File:NY23.jpg]]

[[File:NY23.jpg]]