(The Center Square) — With polls closing at 8 p.m., initial tallies are in for Spokane County, where two high-profile initiatives were on the Nov. 7 ballot, along with a close contest for Spokane mayor and multiple positions on both the Spokane and Spokane Valley city councils.
Here’s a summary of election returns compiled by the Spokane County Auditor’s Office:
SPOKANE MAYOR: Challenger Lisa Brown is outpolling incumbent Mayor Nadine Woodward by 1,577 votes in a close race, 23,217 (51.5%) to 21,640 (48%).
Voter turnout is 31.5% in the race.
The two candidates are vying for a four-year term beginning Jan. 1 to lead Washington state’s second-largest city.
SPOKANE CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT: This open race is between current council member Betsy Wilkerson, who is leading former businesswoman Kim Plese, 23,588 (53.1%) to 20,708 (46.6%)
SPOKANE CITY COUNCIL: Three council seats were on Tuesday’s ballot, with votes confined within their respective districts.
In District 1, incumbent Michael Cathcart (4,968, 56.9%) was prevailing over challenger Lindsey Shaw (3,716, 42.6%).
In District 2, Wilkerson’s bid for council president left an open seat between Paul Dillon and Katey Randall Treloar. Dillon leads, 9,842 (53.4%) to 8,529 (46.3%).
In District 3, another open race between Kitty Klitzke and Earl Moore. Klitzke has a significant lead, 9,899 (60.1%) to 6,484 (39.4%).
SPOKANE VALLEY CITY COUNCIL: Voters are deciding three positions on the seven-member Spokane Valley City Council. All the council seats are at-large positions serving four-year terms.
Position 2 is an open race between Jessica Yaeger and Rachel Briscoe, with Yaeger leading, 8,270 (62.9%) to 4,670 (35.5%).
In Position 3, challenger Al Merkel is outpolling incumbent Arne Woodard, 8,466 (64.7%) to 4,507 (34.4%)
Position 6 incumbent Tim Hattenburg is leading his opponent Rob Chase, 7,200 (53.7%) to 6,148 (45.9%).
SPOKANE COUNTY MEASURE 1
In Spokane County, voters are roundly rejecting Measure 1, with 57,633 no votes (62.9%) cast compared to 34,024 yes votes (37.1%)
The proposal called for raising the countywide sales 0.2% for 30 years to raise an estimated $1.7 billion dedicated to criminal justice purposes, including a new county jail, plus public safety and behavioral health services. Revenue would be shared by the county and its cities and towns.
CITY OF SPOKANE PROPOSITION 1
Within Spokane city limits, Proposition 1 is passing with 75.4% of the vote – 33,597 in favor; 10,976 opposed.
If approved, the proposition calls for amending Spokane’s municipal code to prohibit encampments within 1,000 of schools, public parks, playgrounds, and child care facilities.
Sponsors say the measure is intended to protect children from potentially disruptive or dangerous behavior in homeless encampments. Opponents say it unfairly targets disadvantaged persons who aren’t breaking any laws.
