Oregon’s automatic recount of Measure 92, which would require labeling of some foods with genetically engineered ingredients, is now underway. Election officials in the state’s 36 counties have until Dec. 12 to finish their hand recounts of Measure 92 ballots. The first count found that Measure 92 failed by just 809 votes out of about 1.5 million cast, meaning that it lost by only 0.06 percent. The state automatically recounts in any election contest with a voting margin of 0.2 percent or less. While a reverse result in the Measure 92 is not seen as likely, it is possible. If the Oregon recount does not change the outcome of the election, it will mean that the national organic industry will have lost four straight statewide elections since 2012 to force their more conventional competition to label genetically engineered foods. Voters previously rejected the idea in California, Colorado and Washington state. However, if the results are reversed by the recount, genetically engineered food sold in Oregon will be under the new regulatory burden in the first state outside of tiny Vermont, which is the only state to impose the requirement without any contingencies by legislative action. Either way, Oregon’s final vote count on genetically engineered foods will be meaningful. The most costly ballot initiative in the state’s history saw spending for and against Measure 92 top the $30-million mark. And although proponents were outspent two-to-one, having around $10 million to promote a ballot measure in a small media market state such as Oregon is seen as competitive by political experts. Oregon elections are conducted by mail, with the ballots initially counted by machine. It’s a system that has gained a reputation for efficiently and accuracy, even in a close election. The last time such a close election outcome resulted in Oregon involved a law enforcement ballot measure, and, in that instance, a 681-vote margin held up during the recount.