Socialist Kshama Sawant Leads Conlin By 1,148 Votes

UPDATE 11/14/13, 5 p.m. PT:

Kshama Sawant remains ahead of Seattle City Councilmember Richard Conlin by 1,148. On Wednesday, Sawant was ahead by 402 votes. If she maintains this lead, the race will not be eligible for a recount, although Conlin could contest the vote count and pay for a recount.

Original post 11/12/13, 4:54 p.m. PT:

Seattle City Councilmember Richard Conlin is now losing to socialist challenger Kshama Sawant.

On Tuesday night, Sawant had the lead by 41 votes.

If the results stay this close, a mandatory recount will be triggered.

Sawant and Conlin have each encouraged their supporters to make sure their ballot signatures are validated.

Conlin, the incumbent, led Sawant on election night by about 7 percent. This would be his fifth term on the City Council.

King County Elections said Tuesday afternoon that it had 62,000 votes to count with signatures verified. The county also has 9,700 ballots with signatures that need to be verified before they can be counted.

In the city of SeaTac, the $15 minimum wage measure was still hanging onto its lead. Unlike the council race, local propositions aren't subject to mandatory recounts. But the opposing party could decide to pay for a recount.