If the Republicans get the recount and flip the result, the Senate will end up tied.

From StatesmanJournal.com:

Senate Republicans said Tuesday they will pay for a recount of a Southern Oregon race, which would create a 15-15 tie in the Senate if the result is reversed.

Democratic Sen. Alan Bates of Ashland held a 275-vote lead over Republican Dave Dotterrer of Ashland of 48,884 votes cast in a count that is scheduled to be certified Thursday by Secretary of State Kate Brown. A recount cannot start until that count by Jackson County is certified, and it is likely to be done in Jackson County, where Senate District 3 is.

There is no deadline for a recount to be completed. Lawmakers start their new terms on Jan. 10, the opening day of the 2011 session.

With Bates’ re-election — he has been in the Senate since 2005 — Democrats would hold a 16-14 edge over Republicans in the Senate.

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