Annapolis plans full hand recount after 2025 primary reporting error

Following a transcription error on election night that misreported vote totals for Ward 6 candidates in the 2025 Annapolis Democratic primary, city officials have decided to conduct a full hand count audit of all ballots to verify the certified results. The error led to incorrect unofficial results showing Craig Cussimanio leading when in fact Diesha Contee was ahead, and the narrow four-vote margin in the Ward 4 race further underscored the need for scrutiny. The audit, starting September 25 at the Anne Arundel County Board of Elections office, will include all in-person, mail-in, and drop box ballots and is open to the public. Officials emphasized that although the certification process ultimately reported the correct outcomes, the hand count aims to bolster voter confidence and demonstrate a commitment to election transparency and accuracy. Moving forward, additional safeguards such as on-site verification on election night, immediate tape audits, and enhanced checks before releasing unofficial results will be implemented to prevent similar errors. The collaborative effort between the Annapolis Board of Canvassers and the Anne Arundel County Board of Elections reflects a shared priority on election integrity.