The battle over state House District 1 between Democrat Wes Whitead and Republican Jeremy Taylor could drag on into January, according to a report by Radio Iowa’s O. Kay Henderson.

The General Assembly reconvenes on Jan. 13.

The recount is scheduled to start today, but there are obstacles that may slow down the process.

From Radio Iowa:

One-hundred-and-twenty-two voters in two legislative districts in Woodbury County received the wrong ballots in their absentee ballot envelop. Deputy Secretary of State Linda Langenberg says the question is how many of those 122 ballots were for the race that’s so close.

“That will have to be determined and I think that’s why a recount was requested in the Taylor/Whitead race,” Langenberg says. If the mixed-up ballots could have made a difference, one of the candidates can contest the outcome of the election.

In that instance, the election would be decided by a three-member panel selected by the Iowa House of Representatives. But the process is not nearly that simple.

“If the answer isn’t satisfactory, it could actually be taken on into district court,” [Langenberg] said.

Whitead was declared the winner after the original ballot count was finalized Nov. 11. His lead was only 60 votes. Taylor filed for a recount shortly thereafter.