LONGVIEW — The Cowlitz County Elections Office has completed the main ballot count for the Nov. 7 election.
County Auditor Carolyn Fundingsland said the office processed all the ballots it had received by the end of Wednesday. The elections office will continue to count valid mail-in ballots and ballots from voters that cure their signatures beginning Monday, once staff return from a Veterans Day holiday closure.
The small number of outstanding ballots means the current leaders in the local races will very likely remain ahead. The elections office will certify the results on Nov. 28, which will finalize the winners.
A recount could be triggered in the Kelso City Council race between Jim Hill and Aaron Bunn, where Hill was ahead by five votes as of Wednesday night.
A recount would be triggered by state law after the final certification if the candidates remain separated by roughly eight votes or fewer.
