By now, you’ve probably heard. Democrats took the House. Republicans kept the Senate. But what happened with the races and initiatives closer to home? We’re hitting a few of the highlights.
Increased Voter Turnout
(Ballots are still being counted in some areas, so these numbers are based on estimates reported by each county.)
Pierce County
Total registered voters: 499,164
Total ballots: 327,026
Voter turnout: 65.51 percent
The estimated voter turnout for Pierce County represents a sizable increase compared to the turnout during the 2014 midterm elections. Four years ago, just 49.96 percent of registered voters cast ballots. Two years ago, in the 2016 general elections, 74.45 percent of those registered in Pierce County voted. (Typically, presidential elections see higher turnout.)
Thurston County
Total registered voters: 181,316
Total ballots: 125,598
Voter turnout: 69.27 percent
Thurston County also saw a substantial increase in voter turnout this year as compared with the midterm elections in 2014. Four years ago, 52.53 percent of registered voters in the county cast ballots. In the 2016 presidential election, 77.66 percent of registered Thurston County residents voted.
Lewis County
Total registered voters: 47,568
Total ballots: 34,140
Voter turnout: 71.77 percent
In Lewis County, 2018 voter turnout exceeds the county’s 2014 turnout by nearly 15 percent. During the midterm elections four years ago, 57.07 percent of registered Lewis County voters cast their ballots. Even more impressive, this year’s turnout came close to the county’s 2016 presidential election turnout, which was 77.64 percent.
Mason County
Total registered voters: 39,191
Total ballots: 27,435
Voter turnout: 70 percent
Voter turnout in Mason County this year surpassed turnout during the previous midterm elections by more than 10 percent. In 2014, 59.5 percent of registered voters in the county cast their ballots. In 2016, 77.7 percent of voters registered in Mason County voted.
12 Local Initiatives
Pierce County
Pierce County Rural Library District Proposition No. 1 Levy Lid Lift
Approved: 50.19 percent (104,854 votes)
Rejected: 49.81 percent (104,043 votes)
This proposition, if passed, would authorize the Pierce County Rural Library District to restore its property tax levy rate to $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed value, to be collected in 2019 and used to fund library services within the district. The district operates 18 facilities throughout unincorporated Pierce County including in Bonney Lake, DuPont, Eatonville, Gig Harbor, Lakewood, and Steilacoom.
City of Tacoma Proposition No. 1 (Tacoma Creates)
Approved: 67.19 percent
Rejected: 32.81 percent
The approval of this proposition will allow for a .01 percent increase in Tacoma’s sales tax to provide funding to expand arts and cultural programs throughout the city. Tacoma Creates estimates that $5 million could be raised in a year, and that the increased sales tax could cost the average Tacoma household $13 annually.
Bethel School District No. 403 Proposition No. 1 ($443,000,000 bond)
Approved: 59.12 percent
Rejected: 40.88 percent
Although at first glance, it might appear that voters passed this bond, that may not actually be the case. Bond validation requires a 60 percent majority, which has not been achieved here. The bond would authorized the Bethel School District to build a new high school and two new elementary schools, as well as make other improvements.
City of Gig Harbor Proposition No. 1 (Sales and Use Tax for Transportation Improvements)
Approved: 49.28 percent
Rejected: 50.72 percent
This proposition, if passed, would authorize an increase in city sales tax by .2 percent, starting in April 2019 and for a period of 10 years. The money raised would be used for transportation improvements.
Town of Eatonville Advisory Vote No. 1 Recreational Marijuana Businesses
Yes: 50.51 percent (545 votes)
No: 49.49 percent (534 votes)
The advisory vote is nonbinding, but voters narrowly said “yes” to the town amending zoning regulations to ban recreational marijuana businesses inside town limits.
Thurston County
City of Lacey Formation and Funding of New Lacey Metropolitan Park District
Approved: 47.87 percent
Rejected: 52.13 percent
The new park district, if approved, would have been governed by the Lacey City Council as ex officio board of parks commissioners.
City of Tumwater Formation and Funding of New Tumwater Metropolitan Park District
Approved: 52.77 percent
Rejected: 47.23 percent
The new park district will be governed by the Tumwater City Council as ex officio board of parks commissioners.
Intercity Transit Proposition No. 1
Approved: 65.61 percent
Rejected: 34.39 percent
Approval of this proposition will increase sales tax by .4 percent to maintain, improve, and expand public transportation services. Funds raised will be used for a variety of improvements beginning in 2019 and expected to be completed by 2026.
Lewis County
County This Measure Home Rule Charter Process
Yes: 44.96 percent
No: 55.04 percent
This measure would have restructured the county government to add a manager or executive.
Toledo School District 237 Proposition No. 1 ($7,000,000 bond)
Approved: 72.66 percent
Rejected: 27.34 percent
This bond will provide funds for the construction of a new Toledo High School building to replace the current school building.
Lewis Public Transit Benefit Area County Wide Expansion of Public Transportation Services Sales and Use Tax Levy
Approved: 35.47 percent
Rejected: 64.53 percent
If approved, this levy would have authorized a .2 percent sales tax increase to fund the operation and maintenance of public transportation within the Lewis County Transportation Benefit area.
Mason County
Fire Protection District 9 Merger with Fire Protection District No. 16
Approved: 80.58 percent
Rejected: 19.42 percent
This resolution approves the merger of the two fire protection districts and allows for sharing of resources and personnel.
13 Close Races
Pierce County
Congressional District 8 U.S. Representative
Kim Schrier (D): 43.77 percent
Dino Rossi (R): 56.23 percent
Statewide results: Kim Schrier (52.68 percent), Dino Rossi (47.32 percent)
Legislative District 25 State Representative Position 1
Kelly Chambers (R): 50.63 percent
Jamie Smith (D): 49.37 percent
Legislative District 25 State Representative Position 2
Chris Gildon (R): 51.27 percent
Brian Duthie (D): 48.73 percent
Legislative District 26 State Senator
Emily Randall (D): 49.08 percent
Marty McClendon (R): 50.92 percent
Statewide results: Emily Randall: 49.9 percent, Marty McClendon: 50.1 percent
Legislative District 26 State Representative Position 1
Jesse L. Young (R): 52.61 percent
Connie FitzPatrick (D): 47.39 percent
Statewide results: Connie FitzPatrick: 47.92 percent, Jesse L. Young: 52.08 percent
Legislative District 28 State Representative Position 1
Mari Leavitt (D): 52.79 percent
Richard (Dick) Muri (R): 47.21 percent
Thurston County
Legislative District 35 State Senator
Tim Sheldon (D): 50.74 percent
Irene Bowling (D): 49.26 percent
Statewide results: Irene Bowling: 47.79 percent, Tim Sheldon: 52.21 percent
Commissioner District No. 3
Tye Menser (D): 50.33 percent
Bud Blake (I): 49.67 percent
Lewis County
Commissioner District 1 Sub-District 1 Freeholder District 1 Position 1
Ron Averill: 35.46 percent
Arny Davis: 33.43 percent
Paul Crowner: 16.43 percent
Larry Kerschner: 14.69 percent
Commissioner District 1 Sub-District 1 Freeholder District 1 Position 5
Jennifer L. West: 42.07 percent
Evan Fagerness: 36.97 percent
Peter N. Lahmann Jr.: 20.96 percent
Commissioner District 3 Sub-District 3 Freeholder District 3 Position 3
Linda Williams: 29.26 percent
Marty Hayes: 26.22 percent
Cynthia (Cindy) Colson: 23.9 percent
Harry O. Bhagwandin: 20.62 percent
Mason County
Mason County Auditor
Paddy McGuire (D): 51.24 percent
Charles G. Rhodes (NP): 48.76 percent
Mason County Commissioner District No. 3
Sharon Trask (R): 51.99 percent
Kevin Schmelzlen (D): 48.01 percent
This article was last updated on November 16, 2018 at 9 a.m.
