SAN JOSE, Calif.—A U.S. House race in California is on track for a highly unusual outcome with a tie for second place after over 180,000 votes were cast.
If this tie holds, it would require a third candidate to be added to the November ballot under the state’s “top two” election system, a first for a House race in California.
“This is an incredibly improbable result,” said Paul Mitchell of Political Data Inc., a firm that closely monitors voting patterns.
In the heavily Democratic 16th District, south of San Francisco, 11 candidates were on the primary ballot on March 5 to fill the seat left vacant by retiring Democratic Rep. Anna Eshoo. Under California rules, all candidates compete on the same primary ballot, but only the top two vote-getters advance to the general election, regardless of party affiliation.
The first spot was secured by former San Jose mayor Sam Liccardo, a Democrat, according to unofficial results. Two other Democrats, state Assemblyman Evan Low and Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian, were tied for the second spot with 30,249 votes each.
Secretary of State Shirley Weber has until April 12 to certify the results.
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With the possibility of three Democrats advancing to November, the outcome will not impact the control of the closely divided House, which will be determined in swing districts across the country.
The vote counts for Mr. Low and Mr. Simitian fluctuated in recent days before settling into a tie on April 3. “It’s a special ‘Tie’ day!” Mr. Low tweeted, sporting a colorful necktie in a photo.
This race underscores the slow pace of vote counting in the state, with the outcome still uncertain weeks after the election. A recount would need to be funded by the requesting party, with an estimated cost exceeding $300,000 for a second count, making it unlikely for any campaign to pursue.
A three-way contest in November, with a different voter turnout, would shift the dynamics of the race significantly—a “total reset,” as Mr. Mitchell pointed out.
“It’s extremely unlikely for this scenario to occur,” he added.
By Michael Blood
