Florida Elections 2018: Nelson, Scott headed toward recount for Florida Senate

11:57 a.m. WEDNESDAY: President Trump spoke in a news conference to discuss what he described as midterm election success.

9:55 a.m. WEDNESDAY: The Florida U.S. Senate race between Bill Nelson and Rick Scott is headed toward a recount, according to a press release on behalf of Nelson. 

"We are proceeding to a recount," Sen. Nelson said Wednesday.

This comes after a razor-thin margin between the two candidates -- with Nelson trailing Scott by a little more than just 34,500 votes out of a total of 8.1 million ballots cast.

Law requires a recount when candidates are with one-half a point difference.

"This race is over. It's a sad way for Bill Nelson to end his career. He is desperately trying to hold on to something that no longer exists,"  Scott's spokesman Chris Hartline said.

QUICK LINK: Here's a list of all the races/results in the 2018 Florida MIdterm Election 

6:30 a.m. WEDNESDAY: President Donald Trump took to Twitter early Wednesday to react to the midterm election results.

"Received so many Congratulations from so many on our Big Victory last night, including from foreign nations (friends) that were waiting me out, and hoping, on Trade Deals," Trump tweeted. "Now we can all get back to work and get things done!"

He has not yet tweeted about Democrats regaining control of the House

11:48 p.m. Rick Scott claims victory in the hotly-contested Florida Senate race; longtime Democrat Senator has Bill Nelson yet to concede.

"We are the envy of the world, and Florida is the envy of the United States," Scott said. "Socialism is not going to happen in our nation and it’s not going to happen on our watch.

"We didn't accept govern incompetence in Tallahasse, and I will not accept it as your U.S senator.”

11:24 p.m. Status Update: Florida Amendment 11 covering criminal statutes, removing language related to property rights for non-citizens and language about high-speed rail has passed the AP reports; Florida Amendment 6 broadening the rights of crime victims and raising the mandatory retirement age for judges has passed according to AP.

10:57 p.m. Status Update: Andrew Gillum concedes to race for Florida Governor to Republican opponent Ron DeSantis.

10:25 p.m. Status Update: AP reports Florida Amendment 7, dealing with first responder survivor benefits and public universities.

10:01 p.m. Status Update: AP reports Democrat Debbie Mucarsel-Powell wins election to U.S. House in Florida's 26th congressional district; Amendment 5 has been approved making it harder for the state legislature to raise taxes and fees.

9:49 p.m. Status Update: AP reports that Amendment 2 passes, maintaining existing law by making a permanent cap on annual increases on non-homestead property of 10%.

9:40 p.m. Status Update: AP reports Republican Ross Spano wins election to U.S. House in Florida's 15th congressional district; Republican Ashley Moody elected as Florida's Attorney General.

9:25 p.m. Status Update: Florida Amendment 12 addressing lobbying, abuse of office has been approved, per AP.

9:11 p.m. Status Update: AP reports voters pass Amendment 13, banning greyhound racing in Florida by 2020; Amendment 4 passes restoring felon voting rights; Amendment 9 passes banning offshore oil drilling and vaping in indoor workplaces.

9:05 p.m. Status Update: Florida Amendment 3 has been approved, giving voters control of casino gambling according to AP.

8:19 p.m. Status update: AP reports Republican Brian Mast wins re-election to U.S. House in Florida's 18th congressional district; Republican Vern Buchanan wins re-election to U.S. House in Florida's 16th congressional district; Democrat Donna Shalala wins election to U.S. House in Florida's 27th congressional district.

8:11 p.m. Status update: AP reports Republican Mario Diaz-Balart wins re-election to U.S. House in Florida's 25th congressional district; Republican Matt Gaetz wins re-election to U.S. House in Florida's 1st congressional district.

8:01 p.m. Status update: AP reports that Republican Francis Rooney wins re-election to U.S. House in Florida's 19th congressional district; Republican Neal Dunn wins re-election to U.S. House in Florida's 2nd congressional district; Democrat Debbie Wasserman Schultz wins re-election to U.S. House in Florida's 23rd congressional district.

Gillum has a slight lead ahead of DeSantis with 22 percent of precincts reporting. All of Florida precincts have now closed.

7:55 p.m. Status update: AP reports that Republican Michael Waltz wins election to U.S. House in Florida's 6th congressional district; Republican Greg Steube wins election to U.S. House in Florida's 17th congressional district.

7:30 p.m. Status update:

7:14 p.m. Status update:

7:24 p.m. Status update:

7:05 p.m. Status update:

Supporters of Ron DeSantis have been arriving at the Ron DeSantis Election Night Party for the last hour and a half.

DeSantis voted earlier this morning at his polling location in Ponte Vedra Beach.

DeSantis' Campaign Chair, Susie Wiles spoke with Action News Jax reporter Jenna Bourne.

“We leave nothing on the field, so I feel good. Florida is Florida. It’s a very competitive state. Nobody wins by a lot. All elections are competitive, no more – that I’ve been in – than this one. But I feel good," Wiles said. “You have to do everything in Florida. There are no shortcuts. When it comes down to the last four days, you have to go old school. You have to – retail campaigning – win it on the ground. I’m very proud of a team that has really done that.”

7:00 p.m. Status update:

ELECTION RESULTS (SHOWN WHEN POLLS CLOSE): Florida Governor | U.S. Senator | Complete results

FLORIDA AMENDMENTS: Results of the yes/no vote

RACES BY COUNTY: Duval County | St. Johns County | Nassau County | Clay County | Columbia County | Putnam County | Union County 

6:40 p.m. Status update:

6:30 p.m. Status update:

5:20 p.m. Status update:

4:50 p.m. Status update:

4:45 p.m. Senator Nelson, trying to win reelection as the senior U.S. Seantor from Florida, took a different approach on Election Day.

He voted early.

Nelson did not hold any public events and instead, he spent time with his family.

He is expected to be in Orlando to join his supporters and campaign volunteers.

STAY UPDATED: Get the Action News Jax news app for election alerts

Action News Jax will have crews spread out all over the state covering this midterm election.

11 a.m. Status update:

Candidates for Governor of Florida voted in their home precincts Tuesday morning.

10:20 a.m. Democratic candidate Andrew Gillum voted in Tallahassee.

2018 FLORIDA ELECTIONS: A quick explainer on all the amendments

10:15 a.m. Republican candidate Ron DeSantis casted his ballot in Ponte Vedra Beach.

Where can you vote? 

Tuesday, Nov. 6 is the final day to vote in the midterm elections. To vote in person, you must cast your vote at your home precinct. Polling sites are open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. in Florida and Georgia.

MAIL-IN BALLOT: What you need to know

To find your polling location, click on your county below and enter your complete street address where you're registered:

• Duval County
• Bradford County
• Alachua County
• St. Johns County
• Baker County
• Putnam County
• Clay County
• Nassau County
• Union County
• Camden County

If your county is not listed, you can find your voting location here.

To review a sample ballot for your area, click here.

For more information, visit our 2018 Elections page.

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