Cantwell wins, as early Washington returns point to good night for Democrats
OLYMPIA, Wash. – The first round of election results from across Western Washington pointed to a good night for Democratic candidates even as outcomes were mixed for progressive initiatives.Democratic Sen.
OLYMPIA, Wash. – The first round of election results from across Western Washington pointed to a good night for Democratic candidates even as outcomes were mixed for progressive initiatives.Democratic Sen.
Voters pass measure to tighten gun control; carbon tax trailing heavily
Voters in Washington state have passed a measure tightening gun regulations including enhanced background checks for people buying semi-automatic rifles.Initiative 1639 would increase the minimum age to buy semi-automatic rifles from 18 to 21, add a waiting period to get those weapons and require safe storage of all firearms.Supporters say the goal is to curb gun violence and make schools and communities safer by putting safety measures in place.
Voters in Washington state have passed a measure tightening gun regulations including enhanced background checks for people buying semi-automatic rifles.Initiative 1639 would increase the minimum age to buy semi-automatic rifles from 18 to 21, add a waiting period to get those weapons and require safe storage of all firearms.Supporters say the goal is to curb gun violence and make schools and communities safer by putting safety measures in place.
LIVE UPDATES: 2018 Midterm Elections
SEATTLE - Majorities in both the Senate and House are on the line nationally, and important initiatives and seats are being decided locally on an election day that's on pace to see record turnout in many places.
SEATTLE - Majorities in both the Senate and House are on the line nationally, and important initiatives and seats are being decided locally on an election day that's on pace to see record turnout in many places.
More than half of Washington ballots received
Elections officials have received more than half of the ballots of all registered voters in Washington state who mailed or dropped off their ballots by the 8 p.m. Election Day deadline on Tuesday.The Washington Secretary of State's office reports that 53.4 percent of the more than 4.3 million registered voters have been returned as of 4 p.m. Tuesday.Garfield County in southeastern Washington state leads in early-bird voters, with 76.5 percent of ballots already received, while Seattle's King County was ahead of the statewide average with its tally at 56.3 percent.Washington is a vote-by-mail state, and voters still have time to have their ballot placed in a secure drop box.In 2014, 54.16 percent of registered voters sent in their ballots, according to the Secretary of State's website.
Elections officials have received more than half of the ballots of all registered voters in Washington state who mailed or dropped off their ballots by the 8 p.m. Election Day deadline on Tuesday.The Washington Secretary of State's office reports that 53.4 percent of the more than 4.3 million registered voters have been returned as of 4 p.m. Tuesday.Garfield County in southeastern Washington state leads in early-bird voters, with 76.5 percent of ballots already received, while Seattle's King County was ahead of the statewide average with its tally at 56.3 percent.Washington is a vote-by-mail state, and voters still have time to have their ballot placed in a secure drop box.In 2014, 54.16 percent of registered voters sent in their ballots, according to the Secretary of State's website.
AP exit polls finds Trump a dominant force on voters' minds
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump was a dominant force in the 2018 midterm elections as attitudes toward the polarizing leader influenced the decisions of more than 6 in 10 voters.Nearly 40 percent of voters cast their ballots to express opposition to the president, according to AP VoteCast, a national survey of the electorate, while about 25 percent said they voted to express support for Trump.While Trump is not on the ballot, his controversial presidency has animated voters on both sides of the aisle, with 2018 likely to set turnout records for a midterm election.
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump was a dominant force in the 2018 midterm elections as attitudes toward the polarizing leader influenced the decisions of more than 6 in 10 voters.Nearly 40 percent of voters cast their ballots to express opposition to the president, according to AP VoteCast, a national survey of the electorate, while about 25 percent said they voted to express support for Trump.While Trump is not on the ballot, his controversial presidency has animated voters on both sides of the aisle, with 2018 likely to set turnout records for a midterm election.
Facebook blocks 115 accounts ahead of US midterm elections
Facebook said it blocked 115 accounts for suspected "coordinated inauthentic behavior" linked to foreign groups attempting to interfere in Tuesday's U.S. midterm elections.The social media company shut down 30 Facebook accounts and 85 Instagram accounts and is investigating them in more detail, it said in a blog post late Monday.Facebook acted after being tipped off Sunday by U.S. law enforcement officials.
Facebook said it blocked 115 accounts for suspected "coordinated inauthentic behavior" linked to foreign groups attempting to interfere in Tuesday's U.S. midterm elections.The social media company shut down 30 Facebook accounts and 85 Instagram accounts and is investigating them in more detail, it said in a blog post late Monday.Facebook acted after being tipped off Sunday by U.S. law enforcement officials.
Elections see hundreds uncounted due to issues with voter signatures
SEATTLE - King County Elections officials say each year, many voters’ ballots are not counted because of a simple mistake.During the 2017 election, King County Election Officials say about 1800 voters’ ballots were not counted due to issues with their signature.
SEATTLE - King County Elections officials say each year, many voters’ ballots are not counted because of a simple mistake.During the 2017 election, King County Election Officials say about 1800 voters’ ballots were not counted due to issues with their signature.
Election Day is here: Washington residents to decide key races, initiatives
Three contested U.S. House races are on a crowded Washington state ballot that includes four ballot measures, a U.S. Senate seat and more than 100 legislative contests.
Three contested U.S. House races are on a crowded Washington state ballot that includes four ballot measures, a U.S. Senate seat and more than 100 legislative contests.
Emotions range from elation to confusion as Election Day arrives in Washington
BOTHELL, Wash. — Voters are making their way to the ballot drop boxes all around the region.We caught up with several people casting their ballots at multiple locations in King and Snohomish Counties.“It’s a particularly polarizing time right now to be in America, so its probably very important that people come out and have their voice heard,” says Paedan Cooper.We talked to some who say they found certain initiatives fairly confusing, like the carbon tax.“I can’t even put it into words, my dad and I were kind of talking about it yesterday and he was a little bit confused about it, too.
BOTHELL, Wash. — Voters are making their way to the ballot drop boxes all around the region.We caught up with several people casting their ballots at multiple locations in King and Snohomish Counties.“It’s a particularly polarizing time right now to be in America, so its probably very important that people come out and have their voice heard,” says Paedan Cooper.We talked to some who say they found certain initiatives fairly confusing, like the carbon tax.“I can’t even put it into words, my dad and I were kind of talking about it yesterday and he was a little bit confused about it, too.
Inslee for President 2020? Campaign schedule a big clue
SEATTLE - Though he is not on the ballot this election, Governor Jay Inslee is sure spending a lot of time campaigning.Inslee has been barnstorming the country on behalf of Democratic candidates in several states, including Iowa, Florida, Wisconsin and Michigan.
SEATTLE - Though he is not on the ballot this election, Governor Jay Inslee is sure spending a lot of time campaigning.Inslee has been barnstorming the country on behalf of Democratic candidates in several states, including Iowa, Florida, Wisconsin and Michigan.
Voter turnout is hot a day before Election Day
SEATTLE - No matter which side you are voting for, it’s clear voters across Washington are energized.Election officials say the turnout a day before Election Day feels more like a presidential election than a midterm with many turning out to vote.In fact, King County had nearly double the voters turn in their ballots by Monday compared to the same time during the last midterms in 2014.Batches of ballots are getting checked in for the first time at King County Elections.They can scan through 40,000 ballots in just an hour.
SEATTLE - No matter which side you are voting for, it’s clear voters across Washington are energized.Election officials say the turnout a day before Election Day feels more like a presidential election than a midterm with many turning out to vote.In fact, King County had nearly double the voters turn in their ballots by Monday compared to the same time during the last midterms in 2014.Batches of ballots are getting checked in for the first time at King County Elections.They can scan through 40,000 ballots in just an hour.
On the West Coast, election doesn't end on election night
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The election often doesn't end on election night on the West Coast, where a majority of voters cast their ballots by mail or drop them off.And with competitive congressional races in Washington state and California, the outcome of any close race could take days to determine.COMPETITIVE RACES TOO CLOSE TO CALL?: Three of Washington state's 10 U.S. House races are being watched nationally as Democrats eye potential gains that could determine control of the chamber.
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The election often doesn't end on election night on the West Coast, where a majority of voters cast their ballots by mail or drop them off.And with competitive congressional races in Washington state and California, the outcome of any close race could take days to determine.COMPETITIVE RACES TOO CLOSE TO CALL?: Three of Washington state's 10 U.S. House races are being watched nationally as Democrats eye potential gains that could determine control of the chamber.
Spilled coffee? Kids with crayons? 'State of the art' ballot scanners do their best
RENTON, Wash. -- A hypothetical:A friend spilled a bit of coffee on their ballot.
RENTON, Wash. -- A hypothetical:A friend spilled a bit of coffee on their ballot.
I-1631 could be the first voter-approved carbon tax, but at what cost?
Initiative 1631 puts pollution on the ballot. If passed, Washington would become the first state in the country to approve a fee on carbon emissions through an election.
Initiative 1631 puts pollution on the ballot. If passed, Washington would become the first state in the country to approve a fee on carbon emissions through an election.
If approved, Prop 1 would be one of the largest levies in Seattle history
SEATTLE - Seattle city leaders are asking voters to approve the second-largest property tax-levy in Seattle history.Supporters say it’s a needed investment.Seattle Prop 1 replaces two existing levies.“It impacts everything in our city, quality of life for all of us depends on a good education system,” Seattle Central College president Sheila Edwards Lang said.The education levy is meant to close the achievement gap in Seattle Public Schools.“We still have a lot of problems with a lot of kids especially kids of color and kids living in poverty who start school already behind,” former Seattle City Council member Tim Burgess said.Although it may be a renewal to some extent, Seattle Prop 1 on the November ballot significantly expands educational services and it comes with a hefty price tag.Voters are being asked to fund a whopping $638 million for the seven-year levy.About $44 million will pay for free community college for any graduating Seattle school student who wants it, K-12 will get $230 million, and $363 million goes to expanding free preschool and Pre-K.Lang says studies are clear early learning is a vital component to a child’s success.“We know that early learning works, ready to learn they are on track to success,” Lang said.But opponents say voters should say no.“I think it's too large both in scope and in cost,” education blogger Melissa Westbrook said.Westbrook is behind the Seattle Schools Community Forum.
SEATTLE - Seattle city leaders are asking voters to approve the second-largest property tax-levy in Seattle history.Supporters say it’s a needed investment.Seattle Prop 1 replaces two existing levies.“It impacts everything in our city, quality of life for all of us depends on a good education system,” Seattle Central College president Sheila Edwards Lang said.The education levy is meant to close the achievement gap in Seattle Public Schools.“We still have a lot of problems with a lot of kids especially kids of color and kids living in poverty who start school already behind,” former Seattle City Council member Tim Burgess said.Although it may be a renewal to some extent, Seattle Prop 1 on the November ballot significantly expands educational services and it comes with a hefty price tag.Voters are being asked to fund a whopping $638 million for the seven-year levy.About $44 million will pay for free community college for any graduating Seattle school student who wants it, K-12 will get $230 million, and $363 million goes to expanding free preschool and Pre-K.Lang says studies are clear early learning is a vital component to a child’s success.“We know that early learning works, ready to learn they are on track to success,” Lang said.But opponents say voters should say no.“I think it's too large both in scope and in cost,” education blogger Melissa Westbrook said.Westbrook is behind the Seattle Schools Community Forum.
I-1639 would create some of the strictest gun laws in the country. Will it save lives?
SEATTLE-- Statewide Initiative 1639 would create some of the strongest gun regulations in the county.It would:
SEATTLE-- Statewide Initiative 1639 would create some of the strongest gun regulations in the county.It would:
Fight over carbon fee initiative shaping up to be costliest in state history
SEATTLE (AP) — The fight over a proposed carbon pollution fee in Washington is shaping up to be the costliest initiative campaign in state history.Campaign data shows that a total of $45 million has poured into both campaigns, with opponents raising twice as much as supporters.The "No on 1631" has raised nearly $30 million to defeat the measure on the November ballot.
SEATTLE (AP) — The fight over a proposed carbon pollution fee in Washington is shaping up to be the costliest initiative campaign in state history.Campaign data shows that a total of $45 million has poured into both campaigns, with opponents raising twice as much as supporters.The "No on 1631" has raised nearly $30 million to defeat the measure on the November ballot.
Monday is the last day Washingtonians can register to vote
Monday is the final day Washington residents can register to vote in the November general election.
Monday is the final day Washington residents can register to vote in the November general election.
Program lets domestic violence survivors vote without their address becoming public
When someone registers to vote in Washington state, the address they provide becomes public record and anyone can find it. For a domestic violence survivor, even providing general information during registration can potentially put their lives in danger.
When someone registers to vote in Washington state, the address they provide becomes public record and anyone can find it. For a domestic violence survivor, even providing general information during registration can potentially put their lives in danger.
Analysis: Washington state's close congressional races could impact balance of power in D.C.
With high stakes midterm elections less than two weeks away, Washington state finds itself in an unusual position: Three congressional races in districts long held by Republicans are closer than they've been in quite a while -- which could affect the balance of power in D.C.
With high stakes midterm elections less than two weeks away, Washington state finds itself in an unusual position: Three congressional races in districts long held by Republicans are closer than they've been in quite a while -- which could affect the balance of power in D.C.