OLYMPIA—The Office of the Secretary of State directed a machine recount of the state Senate race in Legislative District 18, December 2, between Adrian Cortes (D) and Brad Benton (R). If Republicans lose the seat, this will give Democrats a 30-to-19 caucus majority, inching ever closer to a supermajority of 33 seats in the Senate. Washington State Senate District 18 is represented by Ann Rivers (R) who, on April 5, 2024, announced she would not seek re-election.
As of county certification on Nov. 26, Adrian Cortes, a Democrat, leads Brad Benton, a Republican, by 172 votes, a difference of 0.2%.
In the Washington State Legislature, a supermajority is achieved when one political party holds more than two-thirds of the seats in either chamber—House of Representatives or the Senate. With a supermajority, a party can pass bills without needing to rely on the opposition. This allows them to push through their legislative agenda with minimal compromise.
A machine recount is required for all races and statewide measures when the margin is less than 2,000 votes and less than 0.5% of the total votes cast for both candidates, per RCW 29A.64.021. The Clark County Canvassing Board is responsible for scheduling the recount and will determine the specific date and time.
In addition, Clark County will be conducting a manual recount for the Councilor District No. 4 race, and Benton County will be conducting a manual recount for the Public Utility District Commissioner Position 3 race.
In the Benton County Public Utility District Commissioner Position 3 race, Mike Massey leads Barry Bush by 6 votes, a difference of 0.01%. In the Clark County Councilor District No. 4 race, Matt Little leads Joe Zimmerman by 49 votes, a difference of 0.1%.
For local candidate races, a manual recount is required when the difference between the candidates is less than 150 votes and one quarter of one percent. Â County canvassing boards will be responsible for scheduling these recounts and will determine the specific date and time.
For more information on recount procedures, visit the recount FAQ webpage.
Washington’s Office of the Secretary of State oversees areas within state government including managing state elections, registering corporations and charities, and governing the use of the state flag and state seal. The office operates the State Archives and the State Library, documents extraordinary stories in Washington’s history through Legacy Washington, and administers the Combined Fund Drive for charitable giving by state employees and the Productivity Board state employee suggestion program. The Secretary of State also oversees the state’s Address Confidentiality Program to help protect survivors of crime.
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
