The Burien City Council voted 4-3 tonight to request a vote on annexation of White Center and North Highline on Nov. 6.
The King County Council must approve placing the measure on the general election ballot. Only White Center and North Highline residents will vote on the measure. Burien voters will not have a say.
The council was expected to request the election be held as part of the Aug. 7 primary ballot.
However, Mayor Brian Bennett offered an amendment to delay the election until November when more people are expected to vote in an election that will feature races for U.S. president, governor and the marriage equality act initiative.
The amendment vote was 6-1 with Councilman Gerald Robison voting against.
Voting to move ahead with the annexation vote in November were Bennett, Robison, Deputy Mayor Rose Clark and Councilwoman Jean McGilton.
Voting against were council members Jack Block Jr., Lucy Krakowiak and Bob Edgar.
Bennett, who cast the deciding vote, joined the council meeting just before the discussion on annexation and left immediately after the vote.
Speakers on the annexation issue during public comment were almost as evenly divided on the issue as the lawmakers.