Here’s who’s leading in Whatcom County election races after a second ballot count
There was little change in election results after a second ballot count was released Wednesday afternoon by the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office and the Washington Secretary of State.
An estimated 14,400 ballots remained to be counted, and a third round of results were expected at 5 p.m. Thursday.
Auditor’s Office officials don’t call the winner of an election. Results are final when the election is certified at 10 a.m. Nov. 26.
Local voters cast ballots Tuesday for delegates to the Charter Review Commission, Public Utility District 1, members of the state Legislature and all statewide offices including the governor and the Washington Supreme Court.
There also were four statewide initiatives seeking to overturn laws enacted by the Legislature.
Also on the ballot were federal offices, including U.S. president and vice-president, seats in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives.
Wednesday’s count includes ballots with valid postmarks received in the mail Wednesday, and the ballots remaining in drop boxes after they were locked at 8 p.m. Tuesday in Washington state’s vote-by-mail election.
There were 167,765 active registered voters and a 72% voter turnout, according to the Auditor’s Office website. A total of 137,762 ballots were received, 135,5687 ballots were accepted and 121,291 have been counted.
U.S. House, 2nd District
U.S. Rep Rick Larsen, D-Everett, was leading Cody Hart, a MAGA Republican from Sedro-Wooley, by 64% to 36%.
40th District State Senate
State Sen. Liz Lovelett, D-Anacortes, was leading Charles Carrell, a Republican from Glenhaven, by 72% to 28%.
40th District State House, Positions 1 & 2
Debra Lekanoff, D-Bow, and Alex Ramel, D-Bellingham, were unopposed.
42nd District State House, Positions 1 & 2
State Rep. Alicia Rule, D-Blaine, was leading her Republican challenger Raymond Pelletti, a real estate agent from Blaine, by a vote of 55% to 45% for Position 1.
State Rep. Joe Timmons, D-Bellingham, was leading Kamal Bhachu, a Rebublican from Blaine, by a vote of 53% to 47% for Position 2.
Public Utility District 1:
▪ Eddy Ury was leading Jeremiah Goggins by 59% to 41% for District 1 commissioner.
▪ Atul Deshmane was leading Dan Robbins by 57% to 42% for District 2 commissioner.
Charter review commission
Three candidates are selected from each County Council district for the panel that will examine the County Charter and propose changes to the voters. The County Charter is reviewed every 10 years. The term of office is one year.
The leaders are:
▪ District 1: Liz Darrow 26%, Andrew Reding 21%, Joel Pitts-Jordan 20%
▪ District 2: Maya Morales 21%, Eamonn Collins 20%, Colton Kaltenfeldt 16%.
▪ District 3: Doug Chadwick 17%, Jennifer Wright 17%, Jessica Rienstra 15%.
▪ District 4: Joe Elenbaas 24%, Hannah Ordos 24%, Brad Kelly 22%.
▪ District 5: Lindsey Graham Elenbaas 16%, Jon Mutchler 15%, Rod Stump, 13%.
This story was originally published November 6, 2024 at 5:56 PM.
