Market News & Headlines >> Oregon GMO Labeling Headed for Recount

An Oregon ballot measure that would require labeling of foods containing genetically modified organisms (GMO’s) is headed for a recount after losing by just several hundred votes.

Initial reports had the measure losing 51% to 49%, but final results show it lost by a mere 812 votes out of a total of more than 1.5 million votes cast, according to the Oregon Secretary of State's Office.

"State law says that if the margin is no more than one-fifth of 1 percent of the total votes cast in that election...then there shall be an automatic hand recount," said Tony Green, spokesman for the secretary of state's office. The recount is to take place Dec. 2-12, he said.

Elections officials in some counties apparently collected thousands more ballots than they reported to the state and those votes were heavily in favor of the GMO labeling law, narrowing the margin enough to trigger the recount.