The race for New York's 27th Congressional District likely won't be settled for another few weeks.

Democrat Nate McMurray told his emotional supporters late on election night that it looked like they were going to come up a little bit short in his attempt to unseat incumbent Republican Chris Collins in New York's 27th Congressional District.

By early Wednesday morning, he thinks things have changed. With the candidates separated by roughly a point and absentee votes yet to be counted, McMurray says it was even closer than they originally thought.

"If there's a 2,800 vote difference, and there's 18,000 votes not counted, and we don't even have an official tally of the boxes, we need to do this the right way," McMurray said Wednesday afternoon. "I'm confident that we're going to use all our powers and abilities to do this the right way." 

When votes are reexamined, there's typically a sway in the voter tallies, McMurray said. "The question I'd ask (the Collins campaign) is why are they afraid to count the votes and do an accurate counting? Why are they trying to force a concession on us? We will not do that. We will fight them. We fought them since the get-go."

McMurray's challenge of the race's outcome began before the polls even closed.

Earlier Tuesday, the campaign requested all the ballots in the district be impounded because they heard about voter issues with election machines. That request was denied, but the judge left the case open until Friday morning should circumstances change.

"When I gave my speech, I didn't want to say that we were conceding. I said it looks like we're falling short and as the numbers continue to come in, it looks like we may not fall short. We may win this," McMurray said late Tuesday night. 

Collins' campaign released a statement in response, saying:

"After tearfully conceding and recognizing his own defeat, Nate McMurray is once again dancing to the tune of the angry mob that just can't accept the will of the voters. Congressman Collins is looking forward to serving NY-27 as he always has."

Collins has held the seat since 2013 and his campaign remains convinced Collins won the election.

“Last night’s results were close but they were decisive: Congressman Collins won and he’ll continue to do what he’s always done, which is serve the residents of New York,” said Chris Grant, senior advisor and general consultant for the Collins campaign.

Grant said New York doesn’t have a recount but instead conducts and automatic canvas, in which members of the Board of Elections meet with representatives from both parties. This process will begin next Tuesday and is expected to be completed by the end of the month.

“At that time, just as we are now, we know Congressman Collins will be elected,” Grant said.