Pundits predicting a…tie in the 20th

Can it get any worse? After weeks of a bruising, lightning-round-style campaign, Republican Jim Tedisco and Democrat Scott Murphy are all locked up. Each day’s count brings a lead change.

(For the record, the weekend tally puts Murphy ahead by 35 votes…)

Now, Politico and The Hill are contemplating the reality that this race could result in a tie — falling well within the margin of error that modern American elections can discern.

Here’s The Hill’s take:

As the vote count seesaws between two candidates in New York’s 20th Congressional District, both parties are trying to claim a victory neither has actually achieved.

And from Politico:

Here’s a potential outcome to mull over in the New York 20th District special election–a dead heat. With just 35 votes separating Democrat Scott Murphy, who holds the lead, and Republican Jim Tedisco, a tie isn’t exactly out of the question.

The Saratogian has begun looking at the what-if question:

John Conklin, a spokesman for the Board of Elections, said that Gov. David Paterson would have two options if, once all the votes are counted, there is a tie.

“He can either do the entire process all over again in which the candidates would have to be re-nominated by their parties, Eric Sundwall would have an opportunity to get on the ballot again, and campaigns could once again start,” said Conklin. “Or, because of the time in the year now, he could let it sit and let the process take place during the general election in the fall.”

If a do-over does happen, we could well see a new dynamic opening up: some kind of serious primary challenge for Tedisco — who recently lost his post as Assembly minority leader.

Fair or not, Republicans in the district have ranged from dissatisfied to dismayed by his performance in this campaign.