Russ Barger is demanding state election officials stage a recount by hand.
Attorneys for the State of Nebraska dispute state law requires a hand recount. Hearing the case, Lancaster District Court Judge Kevin McManaman raised questions that reflected his skepticism about the unusual request.
The judge will review the arguments and issue an opinion, but he did not indicate when that would occur.
Russ Barger of Lincoln lost the general election in Legislative District 26 to George Dungan by 224 votes, or a difference of more than 1% of the ballots cast. State law only allows for an automatic recount if the margin falls under the 1% threshold.
Barger's race does not meet that thresholdqualify, but he wants to pay for the recount with his own money.