CLALLAM: Port propositions split . . . yes to shorter terms but no to more commissioners

Published 12:01 am Wednesday, November 6, 2013

PORT ANGELES — Clallam County voters have overwhelmingly approved reducing the commissioners’ six-year terms to four years but rejected a Port of Port Angeles ballot proposition that would have increased the three-person port board to five members.

In the first count of ballots Tuesday, Proposition 2, which would reduce commissioners’ terms in office, had 12,389 yes votes, or 87.1 percent, in favor, and 1,828 no votes, or 12.9 percent, opposed.

Proposition 1, which would add two more port commissioner positions, had 8,411 no votes, or 59.6 percent, opposed, and 5,708 yes votes, or 40.4 percent, in favor.

Shortly after 8 p.m. Tuesday, the county Auditor’s Office counted 15,348 ballots, or 32.8 percent of the 46,668 ballots mailed out Oct. 16 in the countywide race that were received as of Monday.

Some 5,000 ballots were left to be counted as of Tuesday night.

Ballots received Tuesday through Friday will be counted by 4:30 p.m. Friday.

County Auditor Patty Rosand said she expects turnout to exceed 50 percent.

The next count after Friday will be Wednesday unless the Auditor’s Office receives 500 or more ballots, in which case they will be counted earlier.

The election will be certified Nov. 26, when all results become final.