2019 Elections: Recounts Begin For Five Washington Races

RENTON, WA — Races in four cities and one school district were too close to call when election results were certified in King and Pierce counties last week, triggering recounts as required by state law.

Two candidates vying for Bothell's City Council Position 2 were just 5 votes apart on certification day, and city council races in Redmond and Mercer Island were separated by just a few dozen votes. The Bothell race met the threshold for a hand recount, while the other two races will undergo machine recounts.

The hand recount will begin Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. at King County Elections in Renton. Machine recounts are scheduled to begin Thursday at 8:30 a.m. Media members and observers from all involved campaigns are welcome to attend. Final results will be certified Friday morning.

In Pierce County, two races met the criteria for recounts, including Sumner City Council's Position 7, where the candidates were separated by just seven votes. A recount began Tuesday morning, and the results are expected to be certified by Wednesday.

Related: Washington Counties Certify 2019 General Election Results