The Flathead County Election Department will begin a recount for the Montana House District 8 race at 9 a.m. Tuesday.
The recount was requested by incumbent Rep. Craig Witte, R-Kalispell, and the state Republican Party. Witte trails Democratic challenger Cheryl Steenson by 20 votes out of the 4,044 cast in the Nov. 4 election.
As it stands now, the Montana House is split 50-50 between Republicans and Democrats. A change in the House District 8 voting results could change that balance.
Because the 20-vote margin is within a half a percent of the total votes cast, Witte and his supporters must pay for the recount. Had it been within a quarter of one percent, the county would have to foot the bill.