After more than 188,000 votes, a tie result for second place in the U.S. House Race in California seems mathematically improbable.

If the numbers are correct, the “top-two” system of the state would need to accommodate a third candidate for the November ballot. This is a first in the history of a House race.

Paul Mitchell, of Political Data Inc. a research company that closely monitors voting trends, said: “This is an incredibly unlikely outcome.”

In the heavily Democratic 16th District, the primary on March 5, south of San Francisco was contested by 11 candidates. The seat is being vacated in retirement by Democratic Rep. Anna Eshoo. According to California law, all candidates are listed on the same ballot for the primary election. However, only two of the top vote-getters advance to the general elections, regardless their political party.

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According to unofficial results, which indicated that all votes were counted, the top spot went to former San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo. The second place was a dead heat between two other Democrats, each with 30,249 vote — State Assembly member Evan Low and Santa Clara County supervisor Joe Simitian.

Shirley Weber, Secretary of State, oversees the elections. She has until 12 April to certify results.

The contest won’t affect the House which is currently divided. Instead, it will determine the control in swing districts that are being contested between Democrats and Republicans across the country.

Low, wearing a colorful necktie and posing in a picture at the time of the tweet, said that it was a “special ‘Tie Day” back then.

This race is also a reminder that the state has a painfully slow system for counting votes. In this case, weeks have passed since the election. A recount is a costly process that must be paid for by the person who requests it. With a cost likely to exceed $300,000, this seems unlikely.

Mitchell said that a three-way race in November with a new electorate would completely reset the dynamics of the race.

He said, “It is very, very, extremely unlikely that this could happen.”