Recounts coming in Clark County, maybe King County too

A day before King County is due to certify its election results today, state Rep. Mark Hargrove’s lead over his challenger shrank to 134 votes, which would trigger a recount by hand if those results hold up.

Only a few hundred votes remain uncounted in the state’s largest county, so the odds are still against Democratic challenger Bud Sizemore. But he has been gaining on Hargrove, a Covington Republican.

After today’s count, the gap in the 47th District shrank to 0.248 percent of all votes cast. A manual recount is required when the margin is less than 150 votes and less than 0.25 percent.

If the gap ends up larger but still less than 2,000 votes and 0.5 percent, there would be a machine recount.

Recounts are also expected in a Clark County Senate and House race, where GOP Sen. Don Benton leads by 82 votes and Democratic House candidate Monica Stonier leads by 135. Benton’s race is closely watched because his win could give two centrist Democrats the ability to force a power-sharing arrangement between the parties.

Clark County plans to start sorting ballots Wednesday and start recounts Monday, according to the secretary of state's office.