Republican Rossi Leads in Washington

In the closest Governor's race in Washington state history -- perhaps the closest gubernatorial race in the country, Republican Dino Rossi leads Democrat Christine Gregoire by 42 votes. With 2.8 million votes cast, the lead is approximately 0.0015 percent of the vote. Should Rossi's lead withstand challenge, he will be the first Republican Governor elected in Washington since 1980.

The results of this machine recount will be certified by the Secretary of State next week. Parties have three business days to ask for a full or partial recount by hand. Democrats are expected to ask- and pay for - a recount in the counties where Gregoire leads (blue counties in a blue state).

Republicans are characterizing any potential recount request as "Florida the Second." In an op-ed, Seattle Times writer Joni Balter called on Republicans to moderate their rhetoric.

Republicans have suggested King County (Seattle) election officals were being partisan because they were correcting ballots where voter intent was clear. Six western counties,including King, visually inspect ballots only in case of a recount; the other 33 counties visually inspect and correct ballots prior to the initial count.

Washington counties have a mix of voting systems, and two-thirds vote absentee. Touchscreen electronic voting machines have no verified paper trail.

See New York Times, Seattle Times - news, Seattle Times - opinion, Washington Secretary of State