F. Milene Henley

San Juan County Auditor

The final count for the primary election ballots will be announced on Monday, Aug. 14.

The San Juan County Canvassing Board convene on Monday, Aug. 14 to canvass challenged ballots cast in the Aug. 1 primary. Challenged ballots include those that do not include signatures and were postmarked after Aug. 1. The canvassing board will decide if any of these ballots will be accepted.

To protect the secrecy of the voters, all ballots cleared by the canvassing board for processing, as well as other late-arriving ballots, will be processed at the same time.

The purpose of the primary is to determine which two candidates in each of two San Juan Island school board races will go to the general election in November. Due to close preliminary results, the results on Monday will also determine whether there will be a recount between candidates Heather Christensen and Ruth McKenna for the right to appear on the general election ballot for the San Juan Island School District’s Board Director 1 position. If the difference between the two contestants is less than .25 percent, state law requires a hand recount. If the difference is between .25 percent and .50 percent, a machine recount is required.

The canvassing board will re-convene at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 15, in the San Juan County Elections Office, to sign the certification documents for the election. If a recount is required, the canvassing board will set a date for the recount. Shcedule recount for another day this week.

The public is invited to observe.