Peoria mayoral candidate Jim Montelongo filed a discovery recount request with the Peoria County Election Commission on Monday afternoon, shortly before the statutory deadline.
On final count, Montelongo came just 43 votes short of claiming victory over Rita Ali in the closely-contested race to succeed outgoing Mayor Jim Ardis.
Montelongo previously forecasted his move for a discovery recount in an April 20 press release.
The recount could be used as part of a later court action to formally contest the election results if Montelongo chooses to go that route. The candidate has alleged the election commission mishandled mail-in ballots arriving after April 6, but the election commission defends its practices.
Montelongo can request to recount up to 25% of city precincts voting in the Peoria mayoral race. The recount is scheduled for May 4 - the same day the new mayor and council will be sworn in.
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