Turnout in August election failed to meet expectations
September 7, 2010
Turnout in the August election reached the highest level for a primary in six years, but participation did not meet pre-election estimates.
The all-mail election attracted 39 percent of King County voters. King County Elections had forecast 45 percent turnout before the election. The office tallied 421,157 ballots.
The county Canvassing Board met Sept. 1 to certify the results of the Aug. 17 contest. Read more
Turnout in August election failed to meet expectations
September 2, 2010
NEW — 8 a.m. Sept. 2, 2010
Turnout in the August election reached the highest level for a primary in six years, but participation did not meet pre-election estimates.
The all-mail election attracted 39 percent of King County voters. King County Elections had forecast 45 percent turnout before the election. The office tallied 421,157 ballots.
The county Canvassing Board met Wednesday to certify the results of the Aug. 17 contest.
“We saw a respectable rate of participation considering this was not a presidential election year,” county Elections Director Sherril Huff said in a news release. “We were able to process ballots very efficiently and got some great support from many voters who returned their ballots early.”
County Council praises elections watchdog group
August 31, 2010
King County Council members offered praise last week for the citizen committee responsible for restoring confidence in the county elections office after the disputed 2004 race for governor.
The ceremonial support for the Citizens’ Elections Oversight Committee came as King County Elections continues to tally ballots from the Aug. 17 primary.
The contest between former state Sen. Dino Rossi, a Republican, and then-Attorney General Chris Gregoire, a Democrat, dragged on through recounts and a court challenge. In the end, Gregoire edged out Rossi by 133 votes. Read more
State House hopefuls headed for ’08 rematch in 5th District
August 24, 2010
The race to represent Issaquah and the 5th Legislative District is a 2008 rematch.
State Rep. Glenn Anderson and Democrat David Spring faced off in the last election. Spring fell short to the Republican incumbent by about 2,200 votes. They meet again in the November election.
Sammamish Democrat Dean Willard — the candidate endorsed by the local and state party — failed to advance beyond the Aug. 17 primary, despite raising more money than Anderson and Spring combined.
Fall City resident Anderson received 58 percent of the vote, compared to 25 percent for North Bend resident Spring. Willard received 17 percent.
The district includes Issaquah, North Bend, Snoqualmie and other Eastside communities.
County Council praises elections watchdog group
August 24, 2010
NEW — 8 a.m. Aug. 24, 2010
King County Council members offered praise Monday for the citizen committee responsible for restoring confidence in the county elections office after the disputed 2004 race for governor.
The ceremonial support for the Citizens’ Elections Oversight Committee came, as King County Elections continues to tally ballots from the Aug. 17 primary.
“People expect their government to carry out certain basic tasks accurately; elections being a prime example,” council Vice Chairwoman Jane Hague, the sponsor of the motion and the sponsor of the legislation to create the committee, said in a news release. “The CEOC has had significant success in restoring voter confidence in King County Elections. I’m proud of what we have accomplished, especially since the 2004 debacle. ”
State House hopefuls headed for ’08 rematch
August 18, 2010
NEW — 4:35 p.m. Aug. 18, 2010
State Rep. Glenn Anderson maintained a solid lead against Democrats David Spring and Dean Willard in election results released Wednesday afternoon.
Anderson received 58 percent of the vote, compared to 25 percent for Spring. Willard — the candidate endorsed by local and state Democrats — trailed at 16 percent.
The results set up a rematch between Fall City resident Anderson and North Bend resident Spring. The candidates faced off in 2008 for the opportunity to represent Issaquah and other Eastside communities. Spring fell short by about 2,200 votes.
In the neighboring legislative district, state Rep. Judy Clibborn held a double-digit lead over Bellevue Republican Stephen Strader, a first-time candidate. Clibborn, a four-term Democrat and Mercer Island resident, led in the contest, 53 percent to 39 percent.
Clibborn represents Talus, other Cougar Mountain communities and unincorporated King County in the Issaquah area.
Established candidates lead in initial election results
August 17, 2010
UPDATED — 8:50 p.m. Aug. 17, 2010
Incumbent candidates outpaced challengers in the initial election results released Tuesday night.
The primary set up a showdown for a 5th Legislative District seat in the state House of Representatives, a competitive congressional race and a chance to elect a judge to the King County District Court bench.
State Rep. Glenn Anderson, a Republican, outpolled Democrats Dean Willard and David Spring. Anderson polled 58 percent, Spring polled 25 percent and Willard polled 16 percent.
Unless Willard pulls ahead as ballots trickle in during the days ahead, the race will be a rematch of the 2008 contest between Anderson and Spring.
King County Elections predicts initial count for primary
August 14, 2010
NEW — 6 a.m. Aug. 14, 2010
King County Elections should include about 230,000 ballots in the unofficial count released Election Day — Tuesday — Director Sherril Huff announced Friday.
The elections office had received about 220,000 ballots by Friday. The agency mailed 1.1 million ballots to voters in late July. The elections office estimates a return rate of about 45 percent — or about 495,000 ballots.
“The early returns have been very helpful to us in preparing for Election Day,” Huff said in a statement. “I’m estimating a count of about 230,000 ballots in the results report on Tuesday night.”
The initial results will be posted on the elections website at 8:15 p.m. Election Day, and updated on subsequent days at 4:30 p.m.
State Rep. Judy Clibborn earns top honors from construction group
August 12, 2010
NEW — 1 p.m. Aug. 12, 2010
The statewide trade association for the commercial construction industry has named state Rep. Judy Clibborn as Legislator of the Year.
Clibborn, a four-term Democrat and former Mercer Island mayor, represents Talus, southwest Issaquah and Cougar Mountain communities as part of the 41st Legislative District.
Gene Colin, government affairs council chairman for Associated General Contractors, said Clibborn “gets it.”
“She understands that an efficient and adequate transportation system is good for the economy and the environment,” Colin said in a news release.
Elections office opens ballot drop boxes, voting centers
August 10, 2010
Not everyone has to vote by mail in the Aug. 17 primary election.
King County Elections offers three drop boxes for voters to cast ballots in person. The drop boxes in Seattle and Tukwila provide a secure option to return a mail ballot, without paying the cost of postage.
Find the drop boxes at the King County Administration Building, 500 Fourth Ave., Seattle, and the elections office, 9010 E. Marginal Way S., Tukwila. Ballots must be returned to the boxes by 8 p.m. Aug. 17 or postmarked by the same day.
Elections staffers regularly collect ballots from the boxes and transport them to the elections office.
Voters with disabilities can also cast a private and independent ballot at accessible voting centers in Bellevue, Seattle and Tukwila.
Equipment at the sites provides audio and visual technology to allow voters with limited vision and physical disabilities to vote on their own.
The center at the elections office is open from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. weekdays through Aug. 16. The center at Bellevue City Hall, 450 110th Ave. N.E., is open from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Aug. 16. In Seattle, the center at Union Station, 401 S. Jackson St., is also open from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Aug. 16. On Election Day, the three centers operate from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.
