Election Watch: Measures and candidate races we’re keeping an eye on

Wed, 11/07/2012

UPDATE: 5:45 PM, Nov. 7

Throughout the evening of Nov. 6 and into the rest of the week we’ll be watching election returns and posting the latest results here. Any measures or candidates not covered here can also be found at the King County Elections website.

BALLOT MEASURES
*Descriptions on measures from King County Elections

Seattle
General Obligation Bonds - $290,000,000 (Alaskan Way Seawall)

The City Council of the City of Seattle, Washington, passed Ordinance No. 123922, concerning funding for the Alaskan Way seawall and associated infrastructure.

This proposition would address public safety risks and seismic hazards by authorizing the City to incur costs related to the design, construction, renovation, improvement and replacement of the Alaskan Way seawall and associated public facilities and infrastructure, including City-owned waterfront piers; issue no more than $290,000,000 of general obligation bonds maturing within 30 years; and levy annual excess property taxes to repay the bonds, all as provided in Ordinance No. 123922.

Approved
Votes: 172,230
Percent: 76.89

Rejected
Votes: 51,751
Percent: 23.11

King County

Regular Property Tax Levy for Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) Services
The King County council has passed Ordinance No. 17381 concerning this proposition for the automated fingerprint identification system (AFIS) levy. This proposition would replace an expiring levy and fund continued operation of the regional AFIS program, which provides enhanced forensic fingerprint and palmprint technology and services to identify criminals and aid in convictions. It would authorize King County to levy an additional property tax of $0.0592 (5.92 cents) per $1,000 of assessed valuation for collection in 2013 and authorize annual increases by the percentage increase in the consumer price index or 1%, whichever is greater, with a maximum increase of 3%, for the five succeeding years.

Approved
Votes: 372,049
Percent: 59.51

Rejected
Votes: 253,165
Percent: 40.49

Statewide

Initiative Measure No. 502 (concerns marijuana)
This measure would license and regulate marijuana production, distribution, and possession for persons over twenty-one; remove state-law criminal and civil penalties for activities that it authorizes; tax marijuana sales; and earmark marijuana-related revenues.

Yes
Votes: 1,302,816
Percent: 55.36

No
Votes: 1,050,629
Percent: 44.64

Referendum Measure No. 74 (concerns marriage for same-sex couples)
The legislature passed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6239 concerning marriage for same-sex couples, modified domestic-partnership law, and religious freedom, and voters have filed a sufficient referendum petition on this bill.

This bill would allow same-sex couples to marry, preserve domestic partnerships only for seniors, and preserve the right of clergy or religious organizations to refuse to perform, recognize, or accommodate any marriage ceremony.

Approved
Votes: 1,230,253
Percent: 52.34

Rejected
Votes: 1,120,066
Percent: 47.66

Initiative Measure No. 1240 – (concerns creation of a public charter school system)
This measure would authorize up to forty publicly-funded charter schools open to all students, operated through approved, nonreligious, nonprofit organizations, with government oversight; and modify certain laws applicable to them as public schools.

Yes
Votes: 1,169,483
Percent: 51

No
Votes: 1,123,794
Percent: 49

Initiative 1185, concerns tax and fee increases imposed by state government.

This measure would restate existing statutory requirements that legislative actions raising taxes must be approved by two-thirds legislative majorities or receive voter approval, and that new or increased fees require majority legislative approval.

Yes
Votes: 1,460,450
Percent: 64.55

No
Votes: 802,032
Percent: 35.45

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CANDIDATES ON THE BALLOT

Governor

Rob McKenna (R)
Votes: 1,138,800
Percent: 48.89

Jay Inslee (D)
Votes: 1,190,378
Percent: 51.11

King County Sheriff unexpired 1 year term

Steve Strachan
Votes: 229,644
Percent 42.51

John Urquhart
Votes: 308,425
Percent 57.09

Congressional District 7

Jim McDermott
Votes: 210,040
Percent: 79.54