By Marshall Griffin, KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – Barack Obama may have won the presidential race, but John McCain has officially claimed Missouri's eleven electoral votes.
Secretary of State Robin Carnahan certified Missouri's election results Tuesday, and with nearly three million votes cast, McCain led Obama by 3,903 votes, or 0.13 percent. Carnahan says that margin is small enough to qualify for a recount, if the Obama camp wants one.
"Within seven days, my General Counsel is whispering to me, within seven days they have to make the request of the recount," Carnahan said.
And if a recount is requested, it would be completed within 20 days of the request being made.
Carnahan says a recount could also delay the casting of Missouri's eleven electoral votes, which is scheduled for December 15th at the State Capitol.
A record number of Missourians, 2.9 million, cast ballots during the 2008 general election. And according to Carnahan, voter fraud was non-existent.
"Obviously we heard about the reports prior to election day of some inappropriate names being submitted on voter registration cards...fortunately, our election officials were up to speed on that and prevented those from getting on the voter rolls in the first place," Carnahan said.
Carnahan added that her office did receive reports of attempts to disenfranchise voters by sending out text messages claiming that due to long lines, Democrats were being asked to vote on Wednesday.