Tuesday’s ballot drop extended Wilson’s lead over Harrell to 1,346 votes. She was ahead by just 91 votes on Monday. The race is still too close to call.

SEATTLE — A much anticipated ballot drop on Tuesday extended challenger Katie Wilson’s lead over incumbent Bruce Harrell in Seattle’s mayoral race. She is poised to become Seattle’s next mayor as it is “virtually impossible” for Harrell to make a comeback, an elections expert told KING 5.

On Monday, challenger Katie Wilson led Incumbent Mayor Bruce Harrell by a razor-thin margin of 91 votes. Tuesday’s results now show Wilson leading Harrell by 1,346 votes. This represents a large gain from the slim margin. Wilson’s lead is very close to crossing the threshold that would not trigger an automatic recount. If she crosses that threshold, Harrell’s campaign could request and pay for a recount.

“Given the small number of ballots remaining to be counted or cured, it is virtually impossible for Harrell to catch up,” said KING 5 elections consultant Peter O’Connell.

Bruce Harrell took an early lead following last Tuesday’s election. He was 10,000 votes ahead after the first ballot drop. However, Wilson gained ground during successive ballot drops, something her campaign anticipated. 

O’Connell said he does not see how it could switch back in Harrell’s direction. 

“I don’t recall ever seeing this kind of a trend line switching back,” he said. “I’ve never seen it go back the other direction.” 

Wilson told KING 5 the surge of votes in her favor isn’t surprising because young people tend to vote and drop their ballots off later on election day. Later returns often favor the more progressive candidate. 

In addition to the ballots left to be counted, around 1,500 still need signature verification. Both campaigns are working to get in contact with those people to make sure they get an opportunity to have their vote counted. 

There is a real chance this race could head to a recount.

KING 5 has reached out to Harrell for comment at least five times in since Nov. 10. He has not responded to requests. 

The elections team is working on Veterans Day to release the latest round of votes, which is expected at 4 p.m.


How to cure your ballot

If a voter does not sign the back of their ballot return envelope, or that signature does not match the one your local election office has on file, that ballot may be challenged, which means it will not count toward the final results of any of the races that person voted on. 

Any voter with a challenged ballot will have the opportunity to fix it up to the election certification date in late November. 

Voters who have been notified that their ballot is challenged need to fill out and return a Signature Resolution form by the day before the election is certified.

KING 5’s Drew Andre contributed to this report.