King County Elections officials certified the results of the Nov. 4 general election on Tuesday, Nov. 25. Final results followed early trends in the voting, with successful propositions in North Bend and for the Si View Metropolitan Park District, and a rejected tax increase in Carnation.
The final tally for North Bend’s 0.1 percent sales tax increase for police and fire services was 64 percent (1,282 votes) in favor of the increase, to 36 percent (732 votes) opposed. Voter turnout was nearly 53 percent.
Si View’s one-year maintenance and operations levy had an overwhelming 73 percent approval rate, 3,981 “yes” votes to 1,444 “no’s.” Voter turnout was more than 53 percent.
In Carnation, Proposition 1 failed by only 27 votes, 297 opposed to 270 in favor. The city had the highest voter turnout of any local race, nearly 57 percent of voters.
The defeat was the city’s third failed attempt in recent years to gain voter approval on an increase for police services.
Carnation City Manager Ken Carter said the council has not discussed the vote’s outcome since the results were certified, but said the existing police services contract for the city will not change.
“We’re going to do the best we can with the resources we have,” Carter said, adding that the King County Sheriff’s Office and Deputy Scott Allen, who is the city’s dedicated police officer, have served the city well.
Statewide, results are still unofficial until they are certified on Dec. 4. Currently, the results posted on the Secretary of State’s website show a big win for incumbent District 8 U.S. Representative Dave Reichert, with 63.27 percent of the vote. His opponent, Jason Ritchie, had 36.73 percent. District 1 incumbent Representative Suzan delBene also won her race handily, with 55 percent of the vote to her opponent Pedro Celis’ 45 percent.
Incumbents also appear to be winning the state legislature races. District 5 Position 1 Representative Jay Rodne has 57.64 percent of votes, to 42.36 percent for his challenger, Essie Hicks, and Position 2 Representative Chad Magendanz has 59 percent of the vote, to 41 percent for his opponent, David Spring.
Voters still seem almost equally divided on Initiative 1351, regarding reduced class sizes in public schools, but clear majorities have emerged in other measures on gun control and house advisory bills.
Initiative 1351 is passing with almost 51 percent of the vote. While the count is close, 1,052,519 to 1,012,958, it is not close enough to trigger an automatic recount. Recounts can be requested by elections officials, but are automatically required if the difference in results is less than half of 1 percent, and less than 2,000 votes.
Results from the related gun-control measures, 591 and 594, show voters supporting increased background checks and other gun control measures. I-591, which limited the state to the same background check standard as federal law, was failing with 55 percent no votes. I-594, calling for increased background checks and other rules for gun transfers, was passing with 60 percent of the vote.
Two advisory votes, non-binding measures to allow the state legislature to gauge public feelings on specific issues, were both passing, too. Advisory Vote No. 8, for a tax on marijuana producers (more specifically, the elimination of a tax credit), was supported by 54.4 percent of voters. Advisory Vote No. 9 regarding taxes on leasing tribe-owned property, was also passing, with 55 percent of the vote.
Overall, the state saw 54 percent voter turnout, and 53 percent in King County.
For final election results, visit www.sos.wa.gov after Dec. 4
