It looks like Nancy Fey will retain her seat on the Whidbey Island Public Hospital Board.

The results of the election won’t be validated until Nov. 24, but Fey is leading challenger Erika Carnahan by 133 votes — about a one percent lead.

State law requires a mandatory recount when the difference between the candidates is less than 2,000 votes and one half of one percent. A total of 12,053 votes were cast, not including write-in candidates. As of the last count Nov. 17, Fey was leading with 6,135 to Carnahan’s 5,984.

The board appointed Fey, a retired pharmacist, two years ago after searching for months for someone to fill the seat.