Image
recount2004_830x460

How Washington recounts ensure every vote matters

As 2018's closely-watched General Election draws near, it may prove useful to read up about how recounts help ensure fair and secure elections for Washington's candidates and voters. Nearly a decade ago in this space, we were prompted by a handful of very close election outcomes to summarize the basics of the process, which is also described on our Elections page here. Under state law RCW 29A.64.021, recounts are required in elections in which an apparent winner's margin of victory is both less than 2,000 votes and less than .5 percent of the total votes cast for both candidates. Specifics of the recount procedures depend on whether the race was statewide. Although the 2004 gubernatorial recount is still remembered nationally, the dozens of recounts conducted over the last decade-plus in Washington have almost always affirmed the initial outcome — and, increasingly, have been quite close to the initial reported vote counts. Since 2007, Washington has had a total of 124 mandatory recounts — 29 in primary elections, and 95 in general elections and races for precinct committee officers (a nongovernmental party position elected directly from the primary ballot). In all but six of those recounts, the second look at the ballots ended with the same winner as the initial results. In other words, 95 percent of recounts upheld the initial results. Of the six recounts that affected the outcome, three were precinct committee officer races with fewer than 140 votes cast in each. The three government office elections Washington recounts have swung since 2007 were:

This year's August Primary had two mandatory recounts: the races for Congressional District 2 and Grays Harbor auditor. Neither outcome was altered by the recount. In the congressional race, totals shifted by one or two votes in four of the five counties included in the district; Whatcom County affirmed its initial count precisely. The Grays Harbor recount also affirmed the initial totals.
(html)

Secretary of State
Steve Hobbs

이미지
Image of Secretary of State Steve Hobbs

Connect with Us

Search Our Corner

About this Blog

The Washington Office of the Secretary of State’s blog provides from-the-source information about important state news and public services.

This space acts as a bridge between the public and Secretary Steve Hobbs and his staff, and we invite you to contribute often to the conversation here.

Comments Disclaimer

The comments and opinions expressed by users of this blog are theirs alone and do not reflect the opinions of the Secretary of State’s Office or its employees. The agency screens all comments in accordance with the Secretary of State’s blog use policy, and only those that comply with that policy will be approved and posted. Outside comments will not be edited by the agency.