Maricopa County has started the recount process for three races in the November general election that fell within the margin for an automatic recount.

Those are for secretary of state as Democrat Kris Mayes leads Republican Abe Hamadeh by 511 votes, superintendent of public Instruction where Republican Tom Horne leads Democrat Kathy Hoffman by 8,967 votes, and a state representative in District 13 as Republican Liz Harris leads Republican Julie Willoughby by 270 votes.

Megan Gilbertson is a spokesperson for the county. 

"We put all of the ballots that were counted for the general election back through the machine to ensure its accuracy. And then do an additional 2% hand count above what was done in the general election as well," Gilbertson said. 

A hearing is set for Dec. 22 so all tabulation must be completed by then.