Recounts Highlight Close U.S. Election Races

In Maine's 2nd Congressional District, Republican challenger Austin Theriault ended the recount after losing to Democratic Congressman Jared Golden by about 2,700 votes, citing the honor of the campaign and a desire for collaboration. Meanwhile, in North Carolina, a partial hand-to-eye recount is underway for the Supreme Court Associate Justice seat after Democrat Allison Riggs led Republican Jefferson Griffin by 734 votes following a machine recount. In Alaska, a recount is set to begin regarding a ballot measure to repeal ranked choice voting, with the margin of defeat being just 737 votes, involving high-speed scanning machines with oversight from observers. Additionally, a mandatory manual recount is being conducted in Benton County, Washington, for a local commission race decided by just six votes, underscoring the close nature of several recent elections across the United States.