Elmhurst's Mazzochi Not Giving Up

ELMHURST, IL – State Rep. Deanne Mazzochi is seeking a discovery recount in the District 45 race, in which her Democratic opponent was certified the winner.

On Tuesday, Mazzochi, an Elmhurst Republican, filed the recount request with the DuPage County Clerk's Office.

In the Nov. 8 election, Jenn Ladisch Douglass, an Elmhurst Democrat, prevailed with 50.4 percent of the vote, according to certified returns. That's a margin of 365 votes out of more than 43,000.

A candidate has the right to a discovery recount of up to 25 percent of precincts in a district.

It costs the candidate $10 a precinct. Mazzochi's bill was $290, according to the clerk's office.

The office said the recount will start at 9 a.m. Tuesday. It is expected to last until Wednesday. Both candidates have been invited to watch.

In an interview, Chief Deputy Clerk Adam Johnson said the findings of the discovery recount would not change the results of the race.

After the review, Mazzochi can go to state court to seek a full recount, Johnson said. Such an appeal would be based on evidence from the discovery recount, he said.

In late November, Douglass declared victory after the county certified the results.

Both candidates have kept a low profile since the election.

In an email to Patch on Thursday, Douglass said, "I expected my opponent to request a discovery recount and further expect her to pursue a full recount. While I do not anticipate any recount to change the results of the election, I fully support making sure that every vote is properly counted."

Mazzochi has not made a statement on her campaign Facebook page in nearly a month, though she continues to post items on her official legislator's page.

After the election, she challenged the way the county clerk's office verified signatures on mail ballots. A county judge sided with her.

District 45 includes all or parts of Elmhurst, Hinsdale, Clarendon Hills, Western Springs and Westmont, among other towns.