PORT TOWNSEND — Six votes. That’s all that separate Port Townsend City Council candidates Patsy Caldwell and Mary McQuillen for second place and a chance to challenge incumbent Michelle Sandoval in the Nov. 8 general election.
The latest ballot tally for Jefferson County’s primary election indicated an even closer race for second in the Port Townsend City Council Position No. 1 race.
Sandoval maintained her solid lead with 1,636 votes, or 46.24 percent of the total cast.
Caldwell has collected 942 votes, or 26.63 percent, and McQuillen got closer with 936 votes, or 26.46 percent.
McQuillen trailed Caldwell by 49 votes for second place after the initial tally was released on Tuesday.
If the race remains this close — Caldwell leads McQuillen by 17/100ths of a percent — an automatic recount will be held.