Washington Secretary of State Kim Wyman says a record number of voters for a mid-term election cast ballots last month. The overall percentage fell just short of another record.
Wyman formally certified the election Tuesday.
The Secretary of State’s office says 3,133,456 voters cast ballots in Washington’s general election. That’s a record for a mid-term. The overall turnout was 71.83%, two-hundredths short of the previous high turnout from 1970. The turnout comes in number three on the all-time state high, behind only the presidential elections of 2008 and 2012.
Secretary of State Kim Wyman credits voters for being especially engaged with candidates and issues this year. And she says voter registration efforts were particularly successful this year.
Several Washington counties topped the 80% turnout mark, including Columbia (83%) and Garfield (83%) counties in southeastern Washington. Others pushed 80%. Lincoln County was at 79%, Pend Oreille 77%, Ferry at almost 77% and Stevens and Okanogan Counties were around 74%. Spokane County had a turnout of nearly 73%.
Spokane County’s election is final, but for one race. The county assessor’s office is undergoing a recount this week. Republican Tom Konis has a slim lead.
I’m Doug Nadvornick reporting.