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Vote recounts are either requested or legally required. Recounts are legally required when the votes for an office or state measure fall within a certain range. Local ballot measures do not have a required recount range. 

A recount can be requested by:

  • A candidate
  • A political party representative for an office
  • A group of five or more voters for a ballot measure

Who pays for a recount?

  • For required recounts, the state or the county pays the costs.
  • For requested recounts, the individual or group making the request pays the costs. If the result of the election is reversed, the county pays the costs.

Types of recounts

There are two ways to conduct a recount—by machine or by hand.

Recounts by machine

During a machine recount, the ballots are processed through the tabulation equipment. Staff reviews ballots as needed to confirm the original results were accurate.

Machine recounts are required when the vote total difference between two candidates is less than 2,000 votes and also less than 0.5% of the total number of votes cast for both candidates.

Recounts by hand

During a hand recount, staff reviews ballots in teams of two and hand tallies the votes.

Hand recounts are required when the vote total difference between two candidates is less than 150 votes and also less than 0.25% of the total number of votes cast for both candidates.

Observing a recount

Political party observers, candidates, and their representatives are allowed to observe all stages of a recount. Other members of the public may also be allowed to observe the process.

Where are recounts held?

The County Canvassing Board sets the date and time of the recount.

How do I request a recount?

To request a recount, submit a recount application within two business days after the election results are certified. The person(s) requesting the recount are responsible for paying the costs of the recount.

Read the Jurisdiction Manual for more information View or download the recount application (127KB)

Recount history

2024

2024 primary election, August 6

Commissioner of Public Lands

Mandatory manual recount

Original results

Recount results

Ballots cast

559,374

559,374

Lebovitz

58,307

58,305

Herrera Beutler

74,418

74,416

Upthegrove

186,313

186,309

Pederson

58,920

58,920

DePoe

98,895

98,900

Anderson

22,350

22,350

Van De Wege

35,406

35,406

Undervotes

24,074

24,074

Overvotes

321

321

Write-ins

370

373

 

Democratic Precinct Committee Officer (PCO), SEA 46-1370

Mandatory manual recount

Original results

Recount results

Ballots cast

178

178

Zinner

42

42

Tihanyi

42

42

Undervotes

94

94

Overvotes

0

0

 

Democratic Precinct Committee Officer (PCO), SHL 32-0474

Mandatory manual recount

Original results

Recount results

Ballots cast

149

149

Bender

31

31

Cabe

31

31

Undervotes

86

86

Overvotes

1

1

 

 

2023 general election, November 7

City of Newcastle, Council Position No. 3

Mandatory machine recount

Original results

Recount results

Ballots cast

3,186

3,186

Sweeney

1,556

1,556

Griffin

1,570

1,570

Undervotes

58

58

Overvotes

0

0

Write-ins

2

2

 

Mercer Island School District No. 400, Director Position No. 5

Mandatory manual recount

Original results

Recount results

Ballots cast

8,265

8,265

Lee

3,971

3,971

White

3,956

3,956

Undervotes

322

323

Overvotes

2

2

Write-ins

14

13

 

2023 primary election, August 1

Enumclaw School District No. 216, Director District No. 4

Mandatory machine recount Original results Recount results
Ballots cast 6,130 6,130
Metschan 1,493 1,493
Stouffer 2,589 2,589
Pettit 1,505 1,505
Undervotes 492 492
Overvotes 4 4
Write-ins 47 47

2022 general election, November 8

Congressional District No. 9, US Representative - FED 30-3091 Precinct

Requested manual recount Original results Recount results
Ballots cast 459 459
Smith 288 288
Basler 162 162
Undervotes 9 9
Overvotes 0 0
Write-ins 0 0

Congressional District No. 9, US Representative - SEA 37-1565 Precinct

Requested manual recount Original results Recount results
Ballots cast 258 258
Smith 228 228
Basler 28 28
Undervotes 2 2
Overvotes 0 0
Write-ins 0 0

2022 primary election, August 2

Legislative District No. 47, State Senator

Mandatory machine recount Original results Recount results
Ballots cast 30,797 30,797
Boyce 13,734 13,734
Kaur 8,157 8,157
Kauffman 8,222 8,222
Undervotes 627 627
Overvotes 11 11
Write-ins 46 46

2021 general election, November 2

City of Newcastle, Council Position No. 6

Mandatory machine recount Original results Recount results
Ballots cast 3,489 3,489
Charbonneau 1,672 1,672
Irigon 1,662 1,662
Undervotes 154 154
Overvotes 0 0
Write-ins 1 1

Issaquah School District No. 411, Director District No. 4

Mandatory machine recount Original results Recount results
Ballots cast 28,895 28,895
Ghiora 12,841 12,841
Mullings 12,955 12,955
Undervotes 3,015 3,015
Overvotes 2 2
Write-ins 82 82

Public Hospital District No. 1, Commissioner District No. 2

Mandatory machine recount Original results Recount results
Ballots cast 58,967 58,967
Griggs 25,220 25,220
Lambro 25,412 25,412
Undervotes 8,128 8,128
Overvotes 8 8
Write-ins 199 199

2020 general election, November 3

Legislative District No. 5 State Senator

Mandatory manual recount Original results Recount results
Ballots cast 97,471 97,469
Anderson 41,892 41,885
Mullet 41,949 41,943
Undervotes 12,124 12,135
Overvotes 3 3
Write-ins 1,503 1,503

US President & Vice President - Rose Precinct

Requested manual recount Original results Recount results
Ballots cast 446 446
Biden & Harris 291 291
Trump & Pence 130 130
Jorgensen & Cohen 15 15
Hawkins & Green 2 2
La Riva & Freeman 0 0
Kennedy & Jarrett 0 0
Undervotes 3 3
Overvotes 0 0
Write-ins 5 5

Congressional District No. 1, US Representative - Rose Precinct

Requested manual recount Original results Recount results
Ballots cast 446 446
DelBene 283 283
Beeler 139 139
Undervotes 23 23
Overvotes 0 0
Write-ins 1 1

Congressional District No. 9, US Representative - FED 30-3021 Precinct

Requested manual recount Original results Recount results
Ballots cast 602 602
Smith 371 371
Basler 203 203
Undervotes 28 28
Overvotes 0 0
Write-ins 0 0

Congressional District No. 9, US Representative - KEN 47-0842 Precinct

Requested manual recount Original results Recount results
Ballots cast 770 770
Smith 446 446
Basler 261 261
Undervotes 42 42
Overvotes 0 0
Write-ins 1 1

Congressional District No. 9, US Representative - KEN 47-2568 Precinct

Requested manual recount Original results Recount results
Ballots cast 379 379
Smith 216 216
Basler 135 135
Undervotes 28 28
Overvotes 0 0
Write-ins 0 0

Congressional District No. 9, US Representative - MI 41-0775 Precinct

Requested manual recount Original results Recount results
Ballots cast 583 583
Smith 422 422
Basler 139 139
Undervotes 21 21
Overvotes 0 0
Write-ins 1 1

Congressional District No. 9, US Representative - SEA 37-1895 Precinct

Requested manual recount Original results Recount results
Ballots cast 610 610
Smith 573 573
Basler 18 18
Undervotes 18 18
Overvotes 0 0
Write-ins 1 1

Governor - Rose Precinct

Requested manual recount Original results Recount results
Ballots cast 446 446
Inslee 275 275
Culp 162 162
Undervotes 5 5
Overvotes 0 0
Write-ins 4 4

Attorney General - Rose Precinct

Requested manual recount Original results Recount results
Ballots cast 446 446
Ferguson 263 263
Larkin 168 168
Undervotes 15 15
Overvotes 0 0
Write-ins 0 0

2020 primary election, August 4

Democratic Precinct Committee Officer (PCO) SEA 36-1721

Mandatory machine recount Original results Recount results
Ballots cast 441 441
Marcus 104 104
Vu 105 105
Undervotes 232 232
Overvotes 0 0

2019 general election, November 5

City of Bothell, Council Position No. 2

Mandatory manual recount Original results Recount results
Ballots cast 8,082 8,082
Thompson 3,486 3,486
Henderson 3,645 3,645
Undervotes 931 931
Overvotes 0 0
Write-ins 20 20

City of Mercer Island, Council Position No. 1

Mandatory machine recount Original results Recount results
Ballots cast 10,426 10,426
Thompson 4,768 4,768
Rosenbaum 4,808 4,808
Undervotes 839 839
Overvotes 0 0
Write-ins 11 11

City of Redmond, Council Position No. 1

Mandatory machine recount Original results Recount results
Ballots cast 14,659 14,659
Myers 6,600 6,600
Khan 6,666 6,666
Undervotes 1,366 1,366
Overvotes 0 0
Write-ins 27 27

2018 primary election, August 7

Congressional District No. 1, US Representative - BOT 01-2865

Requested manual recount Original results Recount results
Ballots cast 152 152
Mair 0 0
Pilskog 11 11
DelBene 101 101
Beeler 26 26
Stafne 13 13
Undervotes 1 1
Overvotes 0 0
Write-ins 0 0

Congressional District No. 1, US Representative - HOLIDAY LAKE

Requested manual recount Original results Recount results
Ballots cast 127 127
Mair 2 2
Pilskog 1 1
DelBene 56 56
Beeler 48 48
Stafne 17 17
Undervotes 3 3
Overvotes 0 0
Write-ins 0 0

Congressional District No. 1, US Representative - MARYMOOR

Requested manual recount Original results Recount results
Ballots cast 0 0
Mair 0 0
Pilskog 0 0
DelBene 0 0
Beeler 0 0
Stafne 0 0
Undervotes 0 0
Overvotes 0 0
Write-ins 0 0

Congressional District No. 1, US Representative - RED 48-3548

Requested manual recount Original results Recount results
Ballots cast 113 113
Mair 0 0
Pilskog 3 3
DelBene 77 77
Beeler 24 24
Stafne 6 6
Undervotes 0 0
Overvotes 1 1
Write-ins 1 1

Congressional District No. 1, US Representative - SILVER SPURS

Requested manual recount Original results Recount results
Ballots cast 3 3
Mair 0 0
Pilskog 0 0
DelBene 3 3
Beeler 0 0
Stafne 0 0
Undervotes 0 0
Overvotes 0 0
Write-ins 0 0

Congressional District No. 9, US Representative - RNT 11-0539

Mandatory manual recount Original results Recount results
Ballots cast 136 136
Basler 40 40
S. Smith 41 41
A. Smith 50 50
Undervotes 4 4
Overvotes 1 1
Write-ins 1 1

US Senator - RED 45-2410

Mandatory manual recount Original results Recount results
Ballots cast 398 398
Amundson 1 1
Strider 0 0
Gibson 0 0
Luke 4 4
GoodSpaceGuy 0 0
Tannehill 11 11
Cantwell 266 266
Hutchison 76 76
Chase 0 0
Owen 1 1
Heines 0 0
Wright 1 1
Coday 6 6
Orlinski 0 0
Jackson 0 0
Swank 3 3
Tsimerman 0 0
Smith 0 0
Rivers 7 7
Ferguson 5 5
Hoffman 0 0
Kalberer 1 1
Deal 0 0
De La Fuente 0 0
Butler 0 0
Bryant 7 7
Said 6 6
Hawkins 0 0
Stockwell 0 0
Undervotes 1 1
Overvotes 0 0
Write-ins 0 0

Democratic Precinct Committee Officer (PCO), FED 30-3033

Mandatory manual recount Original results Recount results
Ballots cast 154 154
Baruso 38 38
Rogers 38 38
Undervotes 78 78
Overvotes 0 0

No recounts.

2016 primary election, August 2

Democratic Precinct Committee Officer (PCO) BEL 48-0142

Mandatory manual recount Original results Recount results
Ballots cast 92 92
Cole 11 11
Jackson-Duenwald 11 11
Undervotes 70 70
Overvotes 0 0

Republican Precinct Committee Officer (PCO) FED 30-3015

Mandatory manual recount Original results Recount results
Ballots cast 178 178
Belvin 24 24
Burman 24 24
Undervotes 130 130
Overvotes 0 0

Republican Precinct Committee Officer (PCO) FED 30-3045

Mandatory manual recount Original results Recount results
Ballots cast 147 147
Rutland 19 19
Nyberg 19 19
Undervotes 109 109
Overvotes 0 0

Democratic Precinct Committee Officer (PCO) RNT 11-1004

Mandatory manual recount Original results Recount results
Ballots cast 103 103
Cartwright 29 29
Kempe 29 29
Undervotes 45 45
Overvotes 0 0

2015 general election, November 3

City of Seattle, Council District No. 1

Mandatory manual recount Original results Recount results
Ballots cast 27,757 27,757
Herbold 12,459 12,459
Braddock 12,420 12,420
Undervotes 2,713 2,722
Overvotes 1 1
Write-ins 164 155

2014 primary election, August 5

Republican Precinct Committee Officer (PCO) KMR 46-0696

Mandatory manual recount Original results Recount results
Ballots cast 255 255
Frederick 41 41
Roark 41 41
Undervotes 173 173
Overvotes 0 0

2013 General Election, November 5

City of Auburn, Council Position No. 6
Mandatory Manual Recount Original Results Recount Results
Ballots cast 12,531 12,531
Binetti 5,587 5,587
Wagner 5,313 5,313
Write-ins 36 32
Undervotes 1,591 1,595
Overvotes 4 4
City of SeaTac, Proposition No. 1
Requested Manual Recount Original Results Recount Results
Ballots cast 6,106 6,106
Yes 3,040 3,040
No 2,963 2,963
Undervotes 100 100
Overvotes 3 3

2012 General Election, November 6

Legislative District No. 47, State Representative Position No. 1
Mandatory Machine Recount Original Results Recount Results
Ballots cast 58,704 58,704
Hargrove 27,101 27,102
Sizemore 26,944 26,944
Write-ins 70 71
Undervotes 4,585 4,583
Overvotes 4 4

2011 General Election, November 8

City of Des Moines, Council Position No. 6
Mandatory Machine Recount Original Results Recount Results
Ballots cast 7,922 7,922
King 3,340 3,340
Sheckler 3,371 3,371
Write-ins 30 30
Undervotes 1,180 1,180
Overvotes 1 1
City of Bellevue, Council Position No. 1
Mandatory Manual Recount Original Results Recount Results
Ballots cast 35,865 35,867
Laing 15,188 15,188
Stokes 15,239 15,242
Write-ins 95 95
Undervotes 5,340 5,339
Overvotes 3 3
Enumclaw School District No. 216, Director District No. 4
Mandatory Manual Recount Original Results Recount Results
Ballots cast 8,211 8,212
McGann 3,151 3,153
Peterson 3,142 3,142
Write-ins 24 24
Undervotes 1,894 1,893
Overvotes 0 0
Public Hospital District No. 4, Commissioner Position No. 3
Mandatory Manual Recount Original Results Recount Results
Ballots cast 13,577 13,577
Denton 4,607 4,606
Pollard 4,613 4,612
Write-ins 45 45
Undervotes 4,612 4,614
Overvotes 0 0

2011 February Special, February 8

Snoqualmie Valley School District No. 410, Proposition No. 1

General Obligation Bonds - $56,200,000
60% yes vote and a minimum turnout of 6,253 voters
Washington Constitution, article VII, section 2(b)

Requested Manual Recount Original Results Recount Results
Ballots cast 9,980 9,982
Approved 5,972 5,974
Rejected 3,983 3,983
Undervotes 25 25
Overvotes 0 0

2010 General Election, November 2

Legislative District No. 41, State Senator
Mandatory Machine Recount Original Results Recount Results
Ballots cast 63,361 63,361
Gordon 29,836 29,838
Litzow 30,030 30,030
Write-ins 94 94
Undervotes 3,395 3,393
Overvotes 6 6

2009 Primary Election, August 18

City of Woodinville Council, Position No. 7
Mandatory Machine Recount Original Results Recount Results
Ballots cast 1,804 1,804
Heald 447 447
Talmas 805 805
Tountas 443 443
Write-ins 6 6
Undervotes 102 102
Overvotes 1 1
Kent School District No. 415, Director District No. 5
Mandatory Machine Recount Original Results Recount Results
Ballots cast 19,436 19,436
Clark 8,996 8,996
Smith 4,163 4,163
Watson 4,137 4,137
Write-ins 125 126
Undervotes 2,014 2,013
Overvotes 1 1

2008 - no recounts

2007 General Election, November 6

Public Hospital District No. 1, Commissioner Position No. 3
Mandatory Machine Recount Original Results Recount Results
Ballots cast 55,874 55,860
Anderson 20,974 21,107
Hemstad 21,082 21,215
Write-ins 148 144
Undervotes 13,665 13,390
Overvotes 5 4

2006 General Election, November 7

8th Congressional District

Only two precincts selected, ISS 05-043 & ISS 41-3145

Requested Manual Recount Original Results Recount Results
Ballots cast 208,292 925
Burner 101,812 no data available
Reichert 102,116 no data available
Write-ins 515 no data available
Undervotes 3,840 no data available
Overvotes 9 no data available

2006 Primary Election, September 19

Northeast Electoral District Court, Judge Position No. 2
Mandatory Manual Recount Original Results Recount Results
Ballots cast 92,992 92,992
LaSalata 22,772 22,751
Ottinger 22,510 22,493
Pope 24,547 24,545
Write-ins 173 9
Undervotes 5,414
Overvotes 4

2005 General Election, November 8

City of Issaquah Council Position No. 5
Mandatory Machine Recount Original Results Recount Results
Ballots cast 6,281 6,276
Conley 2,564 2,566
McCarry 2,585 2,582
Write-ins 9 9
Undervotes 1,122
Overvotes 1
City of Shoreline Council Position No. 3
Mandatory Machine Recount Original Results Recount Results
Ballots cast 17,924 17,920
Grace 7,582 7,583
Way 7,641 7,644
Write-ins 35 35
Undervotes undervotes not included in the canvass results
Overvotes 2
Federal Way School District No. 210, Director District No. 1
Mandatory Manual Recount Original Results Recount Results
Ballots cast 28,710 22,810(this number does not include over- and undervotes)
Barney 11,379 11,376
Rawsthorne 11,351 11,353
Write-ins 78 81
Undervotes 5,901
Overvotes 1

2005 Primary Election, September 20

King County Sheriff

Per agreement submitted by the candidates to conduct the recount under an alternative format, ten precincts, selected at random from each of King County's 17 legislative districts were recounted. Ultimately, 160 precincts were counted since one legislative district had just two precincts and two of the randomly selected precincts had no registered voters.


Mandatory Manual Recount Original Results Recount Results
Ballots cast 300,569 18,761
Fuda 45,375 45,374
Rahr 176,682 176,678
Schmidt 45,443 45,436
Write-ins 625 627
Undervotes 32,409
Overvotes 35

2004 General Election, November 2

Governor
Requested Machine Recount Original Results Recount Results
Ballots cast 898,238 898,574
Bennett 18,906 18,936
Gregoire 505,243 505,836
Rossi 350,779 351,127
Write-ins 1,240 1,322
Undervotes 21,994 21,307
Overvotes 76 46
Requested Manual Recount See requested
machine recount		 Recount Results
Ballots cast 898,574 899,199
Bennett 18,952
Gregoire 506,194
Rossi 351,306
Write-ins 1,363
Undervotes 21,297
Overvotes 87
King and Kittitas County Fire Protection District No. 51, Proposition No. 1

Simple Majority (RCW 84.55.050)

Mandatory Manual Recount Original Results Recount Results
Ballots cast 42 42
Yes 26 26
No 15 15
Undervotes 1 1
Overvotes 0 0

2004 Primary Election, September 14

King County Fire Protection District No. 17, Proposition No. 1

Super Majority Plus Minimum Affirmative Vote
60% affirmative vote and number of affirmative votes must be at least 60% of 40% of number of voters of district who voted in last preceding general election
Minimum affirmative vote is 55 yes votes.
Washington Constitution Article VII, Section 2(a)

Requested Manual Recount Original Results Recount Results
Ballots cast 299 298
Yes 152 148
No 103 106
Undervotes 44 44
Overvotes 0 0

2003 General Election, November 4

City of Medina Council, Position No. 4
Requested Machine Recount Original Results Recount Results
Ballots cast 1,067 1,067
Becker 442 441
Write-in Phelps 468
Write-ins 450 12
Undervotes 175 146
Overvotes 0 0
Requested Manual Recount See requested
machine recount		 Recount Results
Ballots cast 1,067 1,067
Becker 441
Write-in Phelps 468
Write-ins 12
Undervotes 146
Overvotes 0

2003 Primary Election, September 16

City of Bellevue Council, Position No. 3
Mandatory Machine Recount Original Results Recount Results
Ballots cast 17,681 17,685
Bennet 3,480 3,479
Chelminak 7,311
Haskin 2,380
Yuen 3,501 3,503
Write-ins 42
Undervotes 955 950
Overvotes 12 12
City of Seattle Council, Position No. 1
Mandatory Machine Recount Original Results Recount Results
Ballots cast 128,249 128,248
Ferguson 4,567
Godden 20,317 20,345
Min 19,477
Nicastro 28,958
Rosencrantz 20,142 20,161
Skolnik 8,049
Smith 13,607
Write-ins 224
Undervotes 12,776 12,635
Overvotes 132 133

2003 February Special Election, February 4

Legislative District No. 47, Representative Position No. 2
Mandatory Manual Recount Original Results Recount Results
Ballots cast 33,880 33,872
Cairnes 16,049 16,052
Sullivan 15,957 15,962
Write-ins 57 57
Undervotes * *
Overvotes * *
Renton School District No. 403, Proposition No. 1

Super Majority plus minimum turnout and minimum affirmative vote bond issues.
In addition, requires at least 60% affirmative vote and a minimum of 10,068 voters voting.
The minimum yes vote required for passage is 6,041.

Requested Machine Recount
Requested Machine Recount Original Results Recount Results
Ballots cast 15,882 15,881
Approved 9,497 9,503
Rejected 6,348 6,347
Requested Manual Recount See requested
machine recount		 Recount Results
Ballots cast 15,881 15,882
Approved 9,501
Rejected 6,347

2002 General Election, November 5

Legislative District No. 47, Representative Position No. 2
Mandatory Manual Recount Original Results Recount Results
Ballots cast 33,880 33,872
Cairnes 16,049 16,052
Sullivan 15,957 15,962
Write-ins 57 57
Undervotes * *
Overvotes * *
Legislative District No. 47, Representative Position No. 1
Requested Manual Recount Original Results Recount Results
Ballots cast total cards cast not included in canvass results 126
Fortunato 60 60
Simpson 61 61
Write-ins 0 0
Undervotes * 5
Overvotes * 0

2001 General Election, November 6

City of SeaTac Council, Position No. 2
Mandatory Machine Recount Original Results Recount Results
Ballots cast 4,496 4,495
Henry 1,911 1,912
Lasco 1,925 1,926
Write-ins 17 25
Undervotes * 632
Overvotes * 0
City of Auburn Council, Position No. 2
Mandatory Manual Recount Original Results Recount Results
Ballots cast 8,598 8,598
Cerino 3,885 3,892
Peloza 3,853 3,858
Write-ins 27 49
Undervotes * 799
Overvotes * 0
City of Des Moines Council, Position No. 1
Mandatory Manual Recount Original Results Recount Results
Ballots cast 7,253 7,248
Benjamin 3,064 3,076
Sherman 3,056 3,059
Write-ins 17 20
Undervotes * 1,093
Overvotes * 0
City of Pacific Council, Position No. 7
Mandatory Manual Recount Original Results Recount Results
Ballots cast 944 943
Bongirno 429 427
Dodge 434 435
Write-ins 1 1
Undervotes * 80
Overvotes * 0
City of Shoreline Council, Position No. 1
Mandatory Manual Recount Original Results Recount Results
Ballots cast 15,022 15,027
Chang 6,355 6,375
Gabbert 6,341 6,353
Write-ins 26 28
Undervotes * 2,271
Overvotes * 0
King County Water District No. 85, Commissioner Position No. 2
Mandatory Manual Recount Original Results Recount Results
Ballots cast 645 645
Doell 282 282
Wozniak 281 282 (winner by lot)
Write-ins 1 1
Undervotes * 80
Overvotes * 0

Related Topics

Past election results

Archived results of elections from the past ten years.
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