Republican Dino Rossi Certified As Winner Of Washington's Gubernatorial Election

The Associated Press reports that Dino Rossi was certified as the winner of Washington's race for governor, but the contest isn't over:

"A recount is almost a certainty," said Secretary of State Sam Reed, the state's chief elections officer.

Reed declared Rossi defeated Democrat Christine Gregoire by just 42 votes out of 2.8 million cast. But on Friday, the Democrats are expected to request a hand recount of some or all of the ballots. That could extend the uncertainty until Christmas.

Washington Secretary of State Sam Reed's press release states requests for further recounts must be made by Friday.

The candidates and political parties have until 5:00 PM Friday, December 3rd to request and pay for an additional recount. The cost is 25 cents a ballot in a hand recount and 15 cents a ballot in a machine recount.

According to the Seattle Post Intelligencer, Democrat Christine Gregoire vowed to do whatever it takes to make sure every one of the 2.8 million votes is counted a third time:

But as of yesterday, that's a promise she can't afford.

A demand for a statewide hand recount would cost at least $700,000 -- upfront.

Both the Gregoire campaign and the state Democratic Party emptied their campaign funds in the final push to win Nov. 2.

Kirstin Brost, spokeswoman for the Democrats, said that at this point, they're not even close to having enough to pay for the statewide hand recount.

Comments

[Mark Smitty]

Thank goodness Christine Gregoire finally defeated Rossi. It is obvious he is not wanted by most of the sane Washingtonians. It would not be admirable for our state to elect a governor who supports the Bush Administration and their murder of innocent Iraqis.