PORT TOWNSEND — Which challenger will face Port of Port Townsend incumbent Dave Thompson in the Nov. 3 general election won’t be known until a recount of primary election votes Tuesday.
A tally of remaining Aug. 18 primary election votes this morning narrowed to five votes Bob Schuessler’s lead over David Whipple as the challenger against Thompson in the port District 2 race.
The votes cast in the primary election will be recounted by machine at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, said Jefferson County Auditor Donna Eldridge.
After the previous count of votes, Schuessler had had a seven-vote lead, with 551 votes, or 25.19 percent, to Whipple’s 546, or 24.97 percent.
After 17 ballots were tabulated this morning, and the Jefferson County Canvassing Board approved eight of 13 questionable ballot signatures, Schuessler’s tally did not change, but Whipple picked up two votes.
The five-vote lead dropped Schuessler’s margin of victory to .455 of a percent, which is just below the half-percent threshold of win required under state law for a recount.
The election was certified today, but the recount would be the final word on who challenges Thompson, who seeks a second term with the port.
Thompson carries a commanding lead in the race with 1,062 votes or 48.56 percent, picking up five votes after the initial results Aug. 18.
The primary election was for the purpose of narrowing the candidates for the general election, with the top two vote-getters to be on the November ballot.
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Port Townsend-Jefferson County Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.
