Five out of six incumbents running in a crowded Seattle City Council field will advance to the fall election, according to the Tuesday night returns in the 2015 Primary Election.
One likely exception is councilwoman Jean Godden, who sits third place in Northeast Seattle’s District 4. Godden had 21 percent of the vote as of last night, Rob Johnson had 34 percent and Michael Maddux had 23 percent.
Johnson, who’s leading in that race, heads the Transportation Choices Coalition, a non-profit that advocates for transit, biking and walking. Maddux is a paralegal.
In all nine races, the top two vote-getters will move on to the Nov. 3 general election.
The council is moving seven of its nine council seats from “at large” representation to geographic districts.
Snohomish County Executive
In Snohomish, it looks like there’s a close race ahead for the Snohomish County Executive’s office. Primary returns show incumbent John Lovick leading County Council Chair Dave Sommers by fewer than 900 votes. Lovick and Somers have had disagreements over leadership issues and fiscal management over the past year.
Tacoma City Council
In Tacoma, City Councilman Anders Ibsen who represents District 1 will compete against high school teacher and political newcomer John Hines in the fall. And in Tacoma’s District 3 - candidate Tom McCarthy – also a teacher – will compete against either Justin Leighton or Keith Blocker for that open seat.
According to early returns, McCarthy and Leighton are ahead in that seven-way race.
Results began posting at 8:15 p.m. Tuesday, local election districts and the Washington Secretary of State's office began posting 2015 Primary election results.
You can go to the state site for results here.
Or if you want to look at county-specific information:
Look here for King County;
Here for Pierce County;
And here for Snohomish County.
Note: Early results don't always mean a race or measure is decided. Check back as mailed and dropped-off ballots are counted through the evening and over the next few days.
Voter turnout was low, said Dave Ammons with the Washington Secretary of State’s office.
“We’re predicting 26 percent which is the same as two years ago the last comparable off year primary,” he said.
Compare that to the 39 percent of voters who returned their ballot during the primary election of 2012, when there were statewide and legislative races on the ballot.
There had been speculation that the local election in Seattle would draw more interest now that much of the city council is being elected by district rather than just citywide.
But at this point, it appears that about 15 percent of voters have returned their ballots in King County, similar to the percentage statewide.
Here's your quick guide on additional information:
-- Check out the KPLU's 2015 Elections Page and learn about issues in your council district if you are a Seattle voter. Also look at Crosscut's terrific coverage on the council district demographics;
-- You don't know your Seattle district? OK. Type your address in here;
-- For additional information or for races not covered in the news media, look to your online voters' guides in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties;