WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – The Democratic candidate for Washington State Senate in Whatcom County could be decided this week.

Election staff at the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office began their hand recount of the 42nd District’s primary race at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 25.

Michael Shepard led Eamonn Collins by just four votes for second place after the canvassing board certified election results last week.

The winner between the two Democrats will join Republican Erika Creydt on the general election ballot in November.

The recount is taking place in the Election Center at the Whatcom County Courthouse.

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The auditor’s office says there’s room for 10 members of the public to observe the recount at a time, which will be on a rotating basis if necessary.

Whatcom County Auditor Stacy Henthorn tells My Bellingham Now she expects the recount to take three to five days.