Skip to page navigationSkip to page content
King County Navigation Bar (text navigation at bottom)
Elections
Skip to page content
Election News
 Election News
Absentee Ballots
Candidate Information
Election Information
GIS / Maps
How to Vote
Related Links
Voter Regsitration

King County Records, Elections & Licensing Services Division
King County Admin. Bldg., #553
500 Fourth Avenue
Seattle, WA 98104

MAP

Hours: Weekdays
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

(206) 296-VOTE for General Information

 

(206) 296-0109 TTY
(206) 296-0108 FAX
elections@kingcounty.gov

 

Recount Frequently Asked Questions

What triggers a recount?

State law requires a machine or manual recount depending on the margin of difference between candidates. A machine recount is required if the difference between a candidate apparently nominated or elected and the closest apparently defeated opponent is less than 2,000 AND also less than one half of one percent of the total votes cast for both candidates. A manual recount is required in local races if the difference is less than 150 votes AND also less than one quarter of one percent of the total votes cast for both candidates.

Are recounts mandatory?

A machine or manual recount is required by state law if the conditions above are met. A manual recount is required unless the candidates involved agree to an alternative method for conducting the recount.

A recount can also be requested for elective offices or ballot measures. A recount for an elective office can be requested by an officer of a political party or any person for whom votes were cast in an election or in a primary by a person not nominated. A recount for a ballot measure or issue can be made by a group of five or more registered voters one of whom needs to be designated group chairperson.

A request for a recount must be submitted to the Canvassing Board within three working days of certification. The requestor must pay for it as follows:

  • Twenty-five cents per ballot for a hand recount.
  • Fifteen cents per ballot for a machine recount.

How will this recount be conducted?

The candidates agreed to a machine recount of 10 precincts in each legislative district. The Elections Section selected the precincts through a random lot draw in the presence of observers. If, at the completion of the recount, the results of the random sampling change the outcome of the race, a random sampling of an additional 10 precincts will be recounted. If the result of the first or combined samplings confirms the outcome of the race, the recount shall be considered complete. If the results of the combined samplings changes the outcome of the race, the recount shall continue until all ballots cast have been recounted using the county's automated vote tabulation system.

When will the recount start?

The recount will start at 9 a.m. , Tuesday, October 4, 2005 . It will be conducted at the Mail Ballot Operations Satellite, 3901 First Ave., S.

How long will it take to conduct the recount?

A recount can take three to four days allowing for ballot sorting and processing. This recount is expected to be completed by the close of business on Tuesday, October 4 with final certification of the recount results on Wednesday, October 5.

Does King County have to hire additional staff to conduct a recount?

Yes, King County will hire extra staff including:

  • Ballot sorting boards who worked over the weekend preparing for the recount
  • Official party observers
  • Runners
  • Tabulators to operate the vote counting machines
  • Supervisors

What does King County have to do to prepare for a recount?

  • A secure facility for sorting was retained at 9010 E. Marginal Way S. in Tukwila.
  • Security personnel were hired.
  • Party observers are being hired to watch the sorting process this weekend following certification.

How will ballots be secured during the recount?

The ballots are stored in sealed containers and secured in a locked cage when not being processed. The recount facility is monitored round the clock by uniformed security.

Will this recount establish a definite winner?

Yes. Upon completion of the recount as agreed upon by the candidates, the Canvassing Board will certify an Amended Abstract of Votes for the office recounted and the results of the count shall stand unless an additional recount is requested.

How many recounts has King County conducted in the last five years?

  • Primary Election 2004 recount of 298 votes in Operation Excess Levy, 70 votes in Republican Precinct Committee Officer in SAM 05-0100, 167 votes in Democratic Precinct Committee Officer in SEA 36-2172 and 188 votes in Democratic Precinct Committee Officer in SEA 36-1734.
  • General Election 2003 recount of 1,067 ballots in the race for City of Medina Council Position No. 4. View results online at https://your.kingcounty.gov/elections/2003nov/recountmedina.htm
  • Primary 2003 recount of 145,933 ballots for the City of Bellevue Council Position 3 and the City of Seattle Council Position 1. View results online at https://your.kingcounty.gov/elections/2003sep/recount.htm
  • February Special Election 2003 recount of 15,881 for the Renton School District bond issue.
  • General Election 2002 recount of 32,014 ballots in the race for 47th Legislative District, Representative Position No. 2. View results online at https://your.kingcounty.gov/elections/2002nov/recount.htm
  • General and Special Elections 2001 for Pacific City Council, Position No. 7; Water District No. 85, Position No. 2; SeaTac City Council, Position No. 2; Auburn City Council, Position No. 2; Des Moines City Council, Position No. 1; and, Shoreline City Council, Position No. 1.

When will King County post its final results?

Final results will be posted as soon as they are available. The Canvassing Board will meet at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 5 to certify the recount results.

Updated: Oct. 3, 2005

|
|
|
|
|

Links to external sites do not constitute endorsements by King County.
By visiting this and other King County web pages,
you expressly agree to be bound by terms and conditions of the site.
The details.