A call to Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Kathy Dent for comment was not immediately returned.

For its part, ES&S said it was not directly involved in the election and has decided it would be "inappropriate" to speculate on the situation. While it did not program the ballots used, the company had been asked to provide technical assistance to the county IT staff if it was needed.

"However, we have been in contact with the supervisor of elections, who has emphasized that the voting equipment functioned well," ES&S said. "The touch-screen system used in Sarasota County provides unlimited opportunity for a voter to make and change selections before a ballot is cast. Therefore, according to the supervisor of elections, under-votes were a result of an intentional choice not to make a selection in the congressional race or unintentional omission of a selection."

A spokeswoman for Cobb said Thursday that a recount would take place if the first set of unofficial results, due on Nov. 12, shows a difference between the candidates of 0.5 percent or less. "This is mandated by law," she said.