State Will Recount Votes For 26th District Senate Seat

GIG HARBOR, WA — With election results currently showing a separation of fewer than 100 votes, a manual recount of ballots concerning the open Senate seat in Washington's 26th District will occur the week of Dec. 4, in accordance with state law. As of 11 a.m. Monday, Democrat Emily Randall leads Republican Marty McClendon by 99 votes — well under the 150-vote threshold for a manual recount.

Washington State law demands a manual recount when the difference in votes for a specific race is fewer than 150 and less than .25 percent of the total votes submitted. A machine recount is made when the difference is fewer than 2,000 votes and less than .50 percent of the total.

Republican Sen. Jan Angel's retirement opened up the 26th District seat for which McClendon and Randall are vying.

A portion of the 26th District covers Western Pierce County, along with a portion of Kitsap County. According to Washington Secretary of State Kim Wyman, just more than 70,000 voters (not including write-ins) submit a ballot for this contest, with 36,559 coming from Pierce County.

If the recount confirms the current results, Democrats will add to their Senate majority. Two other recounts expected to occur in Whatcom County currently show Republican candidates leading their Democratic opponents.

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