Kshama Sawant Gains Ground In Second Batch Of Recall Results

SEATTLE — Kshama Sawant made significant headway Wednesday against the recall effort to remove her from office, as the second round of ballot results showed votes to retain the District 3 councilmember come within a percentage point of flipping the election night result.

Sawant trailed by nearly six points in the first ballot drop Tuesday night, with the "recall yes" option ahead by about 2,000 votes. The second batch of results added another 7,145 ballots, leaving the two choices separated by fewer than 250 votes.

Kshama Sawant Recall Results (Updated Dec. 8, 2021)

• Recall Yes: 50.31% (19,733 votes)
• Recall No: 49.69% (19,487 votes)

The first round of results included most of the ballots received by mid-day Tuesday, and officials estimated there were 8,825 ballots left to count after election night, including those returned to drop boxes closer to the deadline or postmarked on Election Day and delivered the next morning.

King County Elections said roughly 1,200 ballots were left to tally after Wednesday, and Thursday's results may prove pivotal in the final outcome of the recall effort. With the margins so close, challenged ballots may also factor in, with more than 600 flagged for signature issues by Wednesday afternoon. Voters have until Dec. 16 to resolve ballot challenges — the day before final election results are due to be certified.

Voters can resolve ballot challenges by mail and learn more about the process on the King County Elections website. The next ballot drop is due by 4 p.m. Thursday.