WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – The Whatcom County Auditor’s Office is keeping an eye on challenged ballots in the neck-and-neck race for state senate.
Michael Shepard leads Eamonn Collins by 20 votes in the race for District 42 State Senator with two ballots left to count after the updated unofficial tally on Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 12.
The winner between the two Democrats will join Republican Erika Creydt on the general election ballot in November.
The Auditor’s Office says it still has 393 ballots that have been challenged as of the Wednesday update. Ballots are challenged when they’re not signed or their signature doesn’t match the registered voter.
The office has sent a letter or text message with signature verification instructions to voters who have submitted challenged ballots.
The Canvassing Board will review all challenged ballots on Monday, Aug. 17, before election results are certified the following day.
After that, the state senate race will head to a machine or hand recount if necessary.
