If the results in some Iowa races are extremely close, there could be recounts — but they’re not automatic. A candidate has to request one.

Under state law, taxpayers will cover the cost of recounts in races where a candidate is ahead by 50 or fewer votes — or is ahead by less than one percent of all votes cast in the race. Candidates can ask for recounts that exceed those parameters, but they’ll have to cover the cost if they aren’t declared the winner after ballots are recounted.

Candidates may request recounts in the three days after results are certified by county supervisors. The initial results are unofficial until that happens. Candidates can ask for recounts in certain precincts or counties — or for all the votes in their race to be recounted.

Three person boards oversee recounts in every county in which there’s a recount request. One member of a recount board is appointed by the candidate asking for the recount and another represents the candidate with the most votes in the initial count. Both candidates have to agree on the third member of the recount board.

O. Kay Henderson, Radio Iowa