The race for Washington's 42nd Legislative District State Senate seat remains one of the closest contests in the state, with Democrat Michael Shepard leading fellow Democrat Eamonn Collins by just 20 votes as of Wednesday afternoon's updated unofficial tally, August 12. Two ballots remained to be counted at the time of that update, and the Whatcom County Auditor's Office is still working through 393 challenged ballots that could shift the margin in either direction before results are certified.
The winner of the Democratic primary will advance to the November general election alongside Republican Erika Creydt. Both major-party nominees will appear on the general election ballot regardless of the final Democratic primary margin, but the identity of the Democratic nominee has significant implications for the race's competitiveness in a district that has seen competitive results in recent cycles.
What Are Challenged Ballots and What Happens Next
Ballots are challenged when they arrive without a signature or when the signature on the envelope does not match the signature on file for the registered voter. Washington uses a vote-by-mail system, and every ballot envelope must be signed for the ballot inside to be counted. When a mismatch or missing signature is identified, the county auditor's office contacts the voter directly by letter or text message with instructions for signature verification. This process, sometimes called ballot curing, gives voters the opportunity to confirm their identity and have their vote counted.
The 393 challenged ballots currently in the Whatcom County Auditor's hands represent the maximum number that could still enter the count. In practice, not all challenged ballots are successfully cured. Some voters do not respond, some do not respond in time, and some signature issues cannot be resolved. The Canvassing Board is scheduled to review all challenged ballots on Monday, August 17. Election results will be certified the following day, Tuesday, August 18.
If the margin between Shepard and Collins remains within 0.5 percentage points after certification, Washington state law allows the trailing candidate to request a recount. The recount could be conducted by machine or by hand, depending on the circumstances and the candidate's preference.
Why the 42nd District Race Is Worth Watching
The 42nd Legislative District covers a significant portion of Whatcom County, including parts of Bellingham, Ferndale, and surrounding areas. Senate races in the district have drawn attention in recent cycles as the county's political composition has shifted. A primary margin this thin almost guarantees that the August 17 canvassing board meeting will draw close scrutiny from both campaigns and their supporters.
The outcome of the Democratic primary will be a key factor in how competitive the November general election becomes in the district. A candidate who emerges from a contested primary with a narrow win may face different general election dynamics than one who won comfortably. Both Shepard and Collins have been running actively, and whichever candidate advances will need to consolidate support from the other's voters heading into the fall.
Voters who submitted ballots in this race and received a notice about a signature issue should respond as quickly as possible. The deadline for curing a challenged ballot is tied to the canvassing board's review date. Voters who are unsure whether their ballot was challenged can check their ballot status through the Washington Secretary of State's voter portal, which is updated by county auditors as ballots are processed.
How to Follow the Canvassing Process
The Whatcom County Auditor's Office posts updated ballot counts on its website as each canvassing update is released. Those releases typically happen on weekday afternoons and include a breakdown of how many ballots remain to be processed, how many have been accepted, and how many are still being reviewed. The August 17 canvassing board meeting is a public proceeding, and community members who want to observe the challenged ballot review process can attend.
After certification on August 18, the official results will determine whether a recount is triggered. If the margin falls within the threshold, either campaign can request a recount within a specified number of days. The state covers the cost of recounts when the margin is within 0.25 percent; margins between 0.25 and 0.5 percent require the requesting party to pay upfront, though costs are refunded if the recount changes the outcome.
For Whatcom County voters and political observers, the coming week is the critical window. The challenged ballot review on August 17 and certification on August 18 will set the final primary result and determine whether this race heads into a recount before the 42nd District's general election campaign begins in earnest.
