The election is over, but the outcome remains in doubt in two Wisconsin Assembly districts. Preliminary results from Tuesday’s election show Republican Dave Heaton leading Democratic incumbent state Representative Mandy Wright by 86 votes in the 85th District in Marathon County. And Republican Todd Novak was leading Democrat Dick Cates by 59 votes in the 51st District in southwestern Wisconsin.
While Wright and Cates would be entitled to a free recount, since the margin separating them from their opponents is less than a percentage point, such recounts are not automatic. Losing candidates must wait until the last county board of canvassers in the district has completed its work. The deadline for making a recount request is three days after the canvassing boards complete their counts, which begin next week and must be complete by November 18.
