Wisconsin has a tight Democratic primary for governor in Wisconsin. So what would have to happen for a recount?

Wisconsin does not have automatic recounts, even if the results are extremely close, according to the state's recount manual. 

A candidate who wants a recount must wait until the last day a county board of canvassers meets, which is at least one week after the election, according to the Wisconsin Election Commission.

From there, the candidate has three business days to request a recount after WEC gets the last statement from a county board of canvassers.

Poll workers assist voters in the Wisconsin partisan primary election on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at the Brookfield Central High School polling station in Brookfield, Wisconsin.
Poll workers assist voters in the Wisconsin partisan primary election on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at the Brookfield Central High School polling station in Brookfield, Wisconsin.
The first three voters prepare to cast their votes at the Washington Park Senior Center during the partisan primary election in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Aug. 11, 2026. Residents in the state will decide which candidates will advance in races for governor, state Legislature, Congress and more. - Angela Peterson / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Angela Peterson / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
The first three voters prepare to cast their votes at the Washington Park Senior Center during the partisan primary election in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Aug. 11, 2026. Residents in the state will decide which candidates will advance in races for governor, state Legislature, Congress and more. - Angela Peterson / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Angela Peterson / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Ryan Lindsay, chief inspector, center, reviews voting procedures with election inspectors, Bennie Henderson, left and Qiana Williams, right at the Washington Park Senior Center during the partisan primary election in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Aug. 11, 2026. Residents in the state will decide which candidates will advance in races for governor, state Legislature, Congress and more. - Angela Peterson / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Angela Peterson / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Ryan Lindsay, chief inspector, center, reviews voting procedures with election inspectors, Bennie Henderson, left and Qiana Williams, right at the Washington Park Senior Center during the partisan primary election in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Aug. 11, 2026. Residents in the state will decide which candidates will advance in races for governor, state Legislature, Congress and more. - Angela Peterson / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Angela Peterson / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Ryan Lindsay, chief inspector, left, reviews voting procedures with election inspectors, Bennie Henderson, center and Qiana Williams at Washington Park Senior Center during the partisan primary election in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Aug. 11, 2026. Residents in the state will decide which candidates will advance in races for governor, state Legislature, Congress and more. - Angela Peterson / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Angela Peterson / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Ryan Lindsay, chief inspector, left, reviews voting procedures with election inspectors, Bennie Henderson, center and Qiana Williams at Washington Park Senior Center during the partisan primary election in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Aug. 11, 2026. Residents in the state will decide which candidates will advance in races for governor, state Legislature, Congress and more. - Angela Peterson / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Angela Peterson / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
The doors are open at 7am at Washington Park Senior Center at 4420 W. Vliet St. during the partisan primary election in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Aug. 11, 2026. Residents in the state will decide which candidates will advance in races for governor, state Legislature, Congress and more. - Angela Peterson / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Angela Peterson / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
The doors are open at 7am at Washington Park Senior Center at 4420 W. Vliet St. during the partisan primary election in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Aug. 11, 2026. Residents in the state will decide which candidates will advance in races for governor, state Legislature, Congress and more. - Angela Peterson / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Angela Peterson / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Kristie Harris votes at Washington Park Senior Center on Aug 11,2026. “I like to be number 1,” she said. Harris also has 12 years of service as an election inspectors she explained while casting her ballot at the Washington Park Senior Center during the partisan primary election in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Aug. 11, 2026. Residents in the state will decide which candidates will advance in races for governor, state Legislature, Congress and more. - Angela Peterson / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Angela Peterson / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Kristie Harris votes at Washington Park Senior Center on Aug 11,2026. “I like to be number 1,” she said. Harris also has 12 years of service as an election inspectors she explained while casting her ballot at the Washington Park Senior Center during the partisan primary election in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Aug. 11, 2026. Residents in the state will decide which candidates will advance in races for governor, state Legislature, Congress and more. - Angela Peterson / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Angela Peterson / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Generally, if the margin between the two candidates is 0.25% or less, the taxpayers pay for the recount. If the margin is above 0.25%, the campaign has to pay. But the race must be within 1% for a recount to be allowed.

Votes for Democratic candidates David Crowley and Francesca Hong have been within 1% of each other on August 11 as soon as results started coming in.

Some recent recounts in Wisconsin, including for the 2020 election, were partial recounts, only focusing on ballots in certain counties.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What are the rules for a recount in Wisconsin?