A week out, Utah’s 2nd District primary race remains too close to call — but not close enough for a recount

SALT LAKE CITY ( ABC4 ) — It’s been a week since the Republican primary elections in Utah, and the race between Rep. Celeste Maloy and challenger Colby Jenkins in the 2nd Congressional District is still too close to call.

But even though the race is a nail-biter, it still isn’t at the threshold for a recount.

As of Tuesday morning, Maloy, the incumbent, led the razor-thin race by 309 votes, according to The Associated Press. While her lead has shrunk since election night, Maloy still holds 50.1% of the preliminary vote to Jenkins’ 49.9%. Meanwhile, 2% of votes are yet uncounted.

In Washington County, where Jenkins found his strongest support, poll workers are still trying to cure 607 ballots , correcting errors and verifying signatures as of Monday. Last week, Jenkins’ campaign told Deseret News he was hoping for a recount.

But while the margin between the candidates has gotten thinner, it’s still not at the threshold where a recount can be requested. Under Utah law, the margin between the candidates would need to be “equal to or less than 0.25% of the total number of votes cast.”

With the 106,000 votes in the 2nd District contest, that would put the recount figure at roughly 266.

As of Tuesday morning, Maloy has not declared victory and Jenkins has not conceded. On Twitter/X, Maloy posted Tuesday that it’s been challenging to watch and wait as the votes continue to be counted.

Jenkins last posted to social media on Friday , saying he was still hopeful for victory and that “every vote will matter.”

The state’s canvass deadline is set for July 9, and the final results are slated to be certified on July 22.

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