LaDon Linde Won His Seat But a Recount Happens Tuesday

Last month was the general election in Washington State but some recounts in three different races are happening this week in Yakima County.

The recount in two lower valley races were completed on Monday

Yakima County Auditor Charles Ross says recounts happened Monday in a race in the Toppenish School District and a City Council position in Granger. A press release from the auditors office; The recounts for Toppenish School District and the City of Granger are complete. For both contests, there was no change from the original certified result.

Toppenish School District; Director District 3

Rosa I Ortiz – 526

John Ramos – 527

City of Granger; Council, Position 3

Ryan Stonemetz – 95

Silvia Zarate – 94

The recount in the Yakima County Commission race starts on Tuesday

On Tuesday a recount will happen in the Yakima County Commissioner district 3 race between Yakima County Commissioner LaDon Linde and challenger Autumn Torres.

The November general election results were certified by the Yakima County Canvassing Board last week making all the results official. That includes the Yakima County Commission race in District 3. Commissioner LaDon Linde was declared the winner in that race by 65 votes but the hand recount is set to start on Tuesday and could take up to two weeks to complete. Auditor Charles Ross says he doesn't expect a change after the recount is finished.

Big changes coming next year for the entire County Commission board

All three Yakima County Commissioners seats will be up for election again next year after a settlement following a lawsuit that charged the county election system violated the Voting Rights Act.
Yakima County Auditor Charles Ross says other counties use voting machines to do recounts but he says ever since he took office it's been his pledge to conduct recounts by hand.
127,362 were issued to registered voters for the general election.