Latah County finishes recount after 2,343 ballots missed in first report

Latah County election officials completed a full recount of all ballots cast in the November 3, 2026, General Election. The recount was necessary because results from 2,343 ballots were missing from the unofficial totals reported on election night.

The omitted ballots came from in-person early voting and represented votes from all parts of the county. When the missing results were added, the total count of ballots cast reached 18,104.

Three key outcomes emerged from the review. First, the final results for every race and ballot issue in Latah County, the local legislative districts, and statewide races remained the same. Second, the error was caught during a routine post-election review, not through a formal challenge. Third, the recount was conducted using the physical paper ballots, with candidates, media, and public members present to observe.

The discrepancy occurred because the county’s tabulation machines counted the early votes, but those numbers were not fully transferred to the election-night reporting system. Latah County Clerk Julie Fry said the office takes its reporting duties seriously. "We take our responsibility to accurately report election results seriously, and this error should not have happened," Fry said.

Secretary of State Phil McGrane noted that the state team moved quickly to address the issue. McGrane explained that the state went back to the source material to verify the numbers. "Elections have built-in safeguards to ensure votes are accurately counted and reported," McGrane said.

The closest measure on the ballot was the Moscow School District No. 281 Plant Facilities Reserve Fund Levy. That levy passed with 60.34% of the vote. It needed 60% to succeed. The updated results are now posted on VoteIdaho.gov.

The Latah County Board of Commissioners will present the results for canvass and certification on Thursday, November 12, at 3 p.m.