Bellingham, WA, August 17, 2015: It appears likely that a mandatory recount will need to be performed on the race for Bellingham School District, Position 2 to determine the second candidate to move on to the General Election. Candidates Jono Manion and Anthony (Tony) Wallace are the two involved in the recount of ballots. RCW 29A.64.021 states that if the difference in votes between the two is less than 150 votes and also less than .25% of the total number of votes cast for both candidates, then a manual recount is required. If the difference between the two is less than 2000 votes and also less than .5%, then the recount is done by machine. The final count will be announced at the Certification Meeting of the Canvassing Board on Tuesday, August 18, 2015. In either event, pre-preparation will begin on Wednesday morning, August 19, 2015 at 9 a.m. and will continue each day thereafter until complete. The actual recounting of the ballots will occur on Friday, August 21 at 9 a.m. either by machine or by hand until the counting of the ballots is concluded. This will occur in the Elections Center in the basement of the Courthouse.

Observers will need to check in at the Auditor’s Office on the first floor, Room 103. Check the Auditor’s website at www.whatcomcounty.us/auditor or call (360) 778-5102 for specific times and updated information.

For additional information contact: Debbie Adelstein, County Auditor, at (360) 778-5105.