I can confirm that either party may request a machine recount if the difference is more than 2000, but they must put a deposit, and pay for, the cost of the recount.
I am not sure about a hand recount and will check.
Q: But will that end the election?
A: Probably not. If the candidates are separated by fewer than 2,000 votes when the counties certify, state law requires the secretary of state to order a statewide machine recount of all the ballots. If the margin is 150 votes or fewer, a hand recount is required.
Q: When would that happen?
A: Secretary of State Sam Reed plans to order a recount immediately if the race is that close after today's certification. The counties would then have three business days -- until Monday -- to start counting.
Q: How long would a recount take?
A: Most counties can do it in a day. King County, the state's largest, likely would take four days. So a recount should end by Thanksgiving.
Q: And will that be it?
A: Not quite. The secretary of state must certify the winner of the election by Dec. 2. Once he does that, the loser can demand a recount, even if the margin is more than 2,000 votes.
Q: Again? Who pays for that?
A: The person demanding the recount has to post money to pay for it -- $420,000 for a machine recount or $700,000 for a hand recount. If the recount changes the winner, the taxpayer gets the tab.
Q: How long can this go on before there's a winner?
A: The loser is allowed to request only two recounts.