WASHINGTON STATE LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

With thirty-eight of Washington’s thirty-nine counties having adopted a vote-by-mail system, the results of the election may not be known for some time. The Secretary of State’s office estimates a 66% voter turnout. There are currently 3.6 million registered voters, meaning that nearly 2.4 million ballots will be counted statewide. We can expect a number of close races to remain undecided as ballots are counted over the coming days and weeks.

Here is a brief overview of where things stand on Election night, November 2.

U.S. Senate

With most polls leading up to the election within the margin of error, incumbent Senator Patty Murray (D) has been locked in a contentious race with former state senator and two-time gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi (R).

Murray 50.59% v. Rossi 49.41% (Raw vote count: Murray 703,637 v. Rossi 687,102)

U.S. House of Representatives

Four of Washington’s nine Congressional Districts have been closely contested with the potential of changing control from one party to the other. It looks like the result of the election may result in a net pick-up of two congressional seats for Republicans (2nd, and 3rd Congressional Districts).

2nd Congressional District – Rep. Rick Larsen (D) 49.57% v. John Koster (R) 50.43%

3rd Congressional District – Denny Heck (D-open seat) 47.08% v. Jaime Herrera (R) 52.92%

8th Congressional District – Rep. Dave Reichert (R) 54.2% v. Suzanne DelBene (D) 45.8%

9th Congressional District – Rep. Adam Smith (D) 53.92% v. Dick Muri (R) 46.08%

State Senate

Twenty-five of the state’s forty-nine senate seats are up for re-election this year, with Democrats defending nineteen of those seats. Democrats currently outnumber Republicans 31-18, meaning Republicans would need to win seven seats to take the majority.

Preliminary results indicate the Senate will have 25 Democrats, 23 or 24 Republicans, with 1 or two races remaining too close to call.

State House of Representatives

All ninety-eight seats of the House of Representatives are up for re-election this year, with Democrats currently holding a 61-37 majority. Several seats have been vacated by retirement and many incumbent Democrats are facing strong challenges.

Preliminary results indicate the makeup of the House will be 52 Democrats, 44 Republicans, with four or five races still too close to call.

State Supreme Court

Of the three State Supreme Court positions up this year, only one member of the bench faces a challenger in the general election: Justice Richard Sanders 51.1% v. Charlie Wiggins 48.9%

Ballot Measures

I-1053: Restates existing statutory requirements that tax increases must be approved by two-thirds legislative majorities or receive voter approval. 65.6% Yes 34.4% No

I-1082: Authorizes employers to purchase private industrial insurance. 41.3% Yes 58.1% No

I-1098: Institutes state income tax over $200,000 (individuals) and $400,000 (joint-filers). 34.5% Yes 65.4% No

I-1100: Authorizes the sale, distribution and importation of liquor. 48.1% Yes 51.9% No

I-1105: Privatizes the sale and distribution of liquor, maintaining “3-tier” distribution system. 36.75% Yes 63.25% No

I-1107: Repeals the tax on candy, bottled water, soda and processed foods.

62.8% Yes 37.2% No

Referendum 52: authorizes bonds to finance energy efficiency projects for public schools. 43.2% Yes 56.88% No

HJR 4220: Authorizes courts to deny bail for certain offenses. 85.5% Yes 14.5% No

SJR 8225: Changes the definition of interest for the purpose of calculating the constitutional debt limit. 51.12% Yes 48.87% No