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# He helped pass Kentucky’s automatic recount law. Now it applies to his own race.
- URL: https://www.shayinformed.com/he-helped-write-kentuckys-automatic-recount-law-now-it-applies-to-his-own-race/
- Published: 2026-11-09T19:54:49.000Z
- Updated: 2026-11-10T17:02:49.000Z
- Author: Shay McAlister
- Tags: Covering Kentucky

Republican John Hodgson won the 36th District seat by 100 votes, triggering a recount that must begin by Nov. 17.

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A recount is coming in one of Jefferson County’s tightest races, and the only race where the Republican incumbent was able to hold on to their seat amid the nationwide 'blue wave'.

The Jefferson County Clerk’s Office has to certify its election results and submit them to the Secretary of State by noon Tuesday. Once that happens, the Kentucky State Board of Elections is expected to immediately send the clerk’s office a letter requiring a recount in the 36th District House race between Republican John F. Hodgson and Democrat William “Woody” Zorn, according to a spokesperson for the office.

Hodgson won by just 100 votes, with 10,389 to Zorn’s 10,289\. That puts the race inside the 0.5% margin, which triggers an automatic recount under Kentucky law.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8c/19/8c19890d-f21a-4442-8055-5db9783cac58/content/images/2026/11/Screenshot-2026-11-09-at-2.53.12---PM.png)

Representative John Hodgson (R)

There’s a bit of irony here. According to the clerk's office, Hodgson helped pass that law a couple of years ago.

The recount has to begin by next Tuesday, Nov. 17, two weeks after Election Day. The clerk’s office says it will share more details, including timing and logistics, as the date approaches.

Totals for every race the county certifies to the Secretary of State are on the summary report on the [Jefferson County Clerk’s Office website](https://www.jeffersoncountyclerk.org/Voter-Info/Election-Results?ref=shayinformed.com).

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