Supplemental School Levy passing easily

By Evan Smith

The Shoreline School supplemental levy on the November 8 ballot was passing easily in votes counted through Friday with a nearly 63 percent “yes” vote.

King County officials had counted votes from more than 55 percent of registered voters in the School District through Friday.

Of 23,544 ballots counted in the District, 13,885 had “yes” votes, 8,301 had “no” votes and 1,358 left the proposition blank.

School levies can pass with a simple majority, as they have since voters approved a State constitutional amendment four years ago that eliminated the requirement for a 60 percent majority. School bond measures still need 60 percent of a number of District voters equal to 40 percent of the number of voters in the last statewide election.

The votes through Friday were part of a King County voter turnout of 50.90 percent, compared to an expected final turnout of about 52 percent. Officials had counted almost 98 percent of the expected final number of ballots.

County elections officials had 8,000 uncounted ballots on hand at the end of the Friday business day.

Some other ballots still could arrive at the County elections office in Renton. Some are ballots returned to voters for signature verification. Others are ballots from voters who are out of the country, serving in the military, working, traveling or studying.

County officials planned to release updated vote counts Monday afternoon and each working day until the canvassing board certifies results the morning of Nov. 29. Officials plan to release final results Nov. 30 at noon.

The School Board proposed the levy to maintain class sizes after the Legislature cut money for education last spring.