September 14, 2004

In the state’s first pick-a-party primary, Dino Rossi wins the Republican nomination with 85 percent of the party’s votes, while Christine Gregoire wins the Democratic Primary with 65 percent of the party’s votes, beating King County Executive Ron Sims.

September 29

Thurston County Superior Court Judge Richard Strophy rules that Libertarian candidate Ruth Bennett is entitled to a spot on the general-election ballot.

November 2—

Election Night

Gregoire takes an early lead of approximately 4,000 votes of 1.8 million counted. However, as counting continues through the night, the tide turns for Rossi, who emerges with a 681-vote advantage.

November 3

Gregoire pulls ahead by 14,323 votes, largely thanks to the counting of 96,000 King County absentee ballots.

November 5

Gregoire’s lead is down to 4,001 with 362,246 ballots left to count.

November 9

Rossi turns the tables and takes a 2,000-vote lead.

November 10

Rossi expands his lead to 3,500 votes. He announces his transition team.

November 12

Rossi’s lead is reduced to 1,920 votes. Following a request from Democrats, a judge rules that King County is required to turn over the names and addresses of county voters who cast provisional ballots deemed invalid. Gregoire’s party works feverishly to turn up as many votes in King County as possible.

November 15

Rossi’s lead is whittled to 158 votes.

November 17

On the statutory deadline for all counties to certify returns, Rossi finishes with a 261-vote lead, triggering a mandatory machine recount.

November 20

The machine recount begins. The Republican Party files a lawsuit in U.S. District Court seeking to stop King County from hand-reviewing ballots that are rejected by the machines. The Republicans are specifically concerned with King County’s attempts to determine voter intent on questionable ballots, arguing that the ballot “enhancement” process “irreparably” harms the recount process.

November 21

U.S. District Court Judge Marsha Pechman denies the Republicans’ attempt to stop the ballot-enhancement process in King County.

November 24

Results of the machine recount determine Rossi has won by 42 votes.

November 30

Secretary of State Sam Reed certifies the election, declaring Rossi the winner.

December 3

The Democrats pay for a hand recount of all ballots statewide, as is their right under state law. It costs them $730,000, with John Kerry pitching in at least $200,000.

December 13

King County discovers 561 valid ballots not previously counted.

December 17

Approximately another 150 uncounted ballots surface in King County, further infuriating Republicans.

December 23

The hand recount finds Gregoire the winner by 129 votes out of nearly 2.8 million cast. Libertarian Ruth Bennett finishes with 63,465 votes.

January 7, 2005

Rossi and the Republicans file a lawsuit in Chelan County Superior Court challenging Gregoire’s election.

January 12

Gregoire is sworn in as Governor.

June 6, 2005

After a two-week trial, Chelan County Superior Court Judge John Bridges rejects the Republicans’ lawsuit seeking to invalidate Gregoire’s election, agreeing that while there were many errors, none were intentional, and no fraud had occurred. Five votes are added to Gregoire’s total, raising her margin of victory to 133. Later that day, Rossi announces he will not appeal the decision. “We thought the state Supreme Court was nothing but Democrats and would rule in whatever way necessary to make Christine Gregoire governor,” explains Chris Vance. E