Recount Starts in Washington

According to Reuters news service:

Her lead in the Nov. 7 election was so narrow – 1,953 votes out of more than 2.46 million cast – that it triggered automatically a recount.

If Cantwell wins the recount, it would split the 100-member Senate 50-50 between Democrats and Republicans.

Even so, Republicans would retain nominal control of the upper house.

That's because:

• If Dick Cheney becomes the Republican vice president, he would also serve as president of the Senate, empowered to cast the deciding vote in a tie, or

• If Connecticut's Sen. Joe Lieberman becomes the Democratic vice president, the seat he would leave in the Senate will be filled by an appointee of the state's Republican governor.

State election officials in Washington expect the recount to be completed by Friday, and then a final tally will be announced Dec. 7.

After that, state law provides that a candidate may request – and pay for – another recount.

However, neither side has indicated any interest in seeking further recounts or raising legal challenges to the results, as in the presidential contest in Florida.