Special election 2011: Voter turnout meets school, fire bond requirements

The two bond issues for schools and fire protection on today's ballot appear to have met minimum voter turnout requirements.

The two bond issues for schools and fire protection on today’s ballot appear to have met minimum voter turnout requirements.

Ballot return statistics from King County Elections show that:

• Fire District 38 voters returned 2,124 ballots by Tuesday morning, Feb. 8; the minimum required turnout was 1,881.

• City of North Bend voters returned 1,286 ballots, minimum required turnout was 963.

• Snoqualmie Valley School District voters returned 7,829 ballots, minimum required turnout was 6253.

Initial election results will be posted on the King County Elections website around 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 8, and updated on subsequent days at 4:30 p.m. Voters can also visit the website to track their ballot and confirm that it was received by Elections officials.

The ballot includes a $56 million bond to build a replacement middle school for Snoqualmie Middle School and provide safety upgrades, program enhancements and repairs at eight other schools in the district.

Also on the ballot is the joint city of North Bend/Fire District 38 bond to build a replacement fire station. The measure would raise $2.25 million from North Bend and $2.975 million from Fire District 38.

All measures required a 60 percent supermajority.

Ballots must be postmarked by Feb. 8 or returned to a ballot drop box by 8 p.m. today. There are six ballot drop boxes open for this election, and locations are listed on the King County Elections website. In addition, an accessible voting center is open at the King County Elections office today from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.