PORT TOWNSEND – Zane Wyll kept his razor-thin lead in a mandatory recount of ballots cast for Fire Protection District No. 1 commissioner Monday over opponent Pete Langley, and will be elected to the seat.

“It came out right as it was certified on Nov. 27,” said Jefferson County Chief Deputy Auditor Karen Cartmel of the recount.

“To the ‘T,’ just as we expected.”

The recount was required by state law because the 11-vote margin between Wyll and Langley in the Nov. 6 election fell with 0.25 percent.

Wyll ended up with 1,892 votes, or 49.97 percent, and Langley had 1,881 votes, or 49.68 percent.

The two candidates had been neck and neck since the first Election Night vote count, with tallies of additional ballots in the all-mail election narrowing the spread.

Monday’s recount finalizes the results of the race.

“I’m glad the process is finally over,” Wyll said.

“I’m honored to be able to continue to serve East Jefferson Fire-Rescue.”