The automatic recount process will begin today in the first of two state legislative district races whose election results were close enough, within 150 votes and less than 0.25 percent, to require a state mandated recount.

The 6th LD race between John Driscoll (D-Spokane) and Rep. John Ahern (R-Spokane) will see its votes retabulated this afternoon and again Wednesday and Thursday by election officials with observers from both parties on hand. Results will be certified at a Spokane County canvassing board meeting Friday morning. Driscoll currently leads Ahern by 74 votes out of 70,140 cast. The same district also saw challenger Kevin Parker (R-Spokane) unseat Rep. Don Barlow (D-Spokane) in the election for the district's other state House seat this November.

The state's other recount will take place beginning Tuesday, December 9 in the 44th LD. There challenger Mike Hope (R-Everett) has a 118 vote lead over Rep. Liz Loomis (D-Snohomish), who was appointed midway through the last session. Those results will be certified on Friday, Devember 12.

If results hold, the Democrats will have a 62-36 majority in the House, with the Republicans gaining a total of one seat from last term.