PORT TOWNSEND — The second Jefferson County general election vote count Thursday of about 2,200 more ballots did not change results in contests for Port Townsend City Council, Port of Port Townsend commissioner and Brinnon School Board.
The county Auditor’s Office has now tabulated 13,963 mail ballots of 21,298 ballots issued for a 65.56 percent voter return.
The next ballot count is set for 1 p.m. Nov. 22 at the Jefferson County Courthouse, said Auditor Donna Eldridge.
She said that 307 mail ballots remain to be reviewed by elections officials with seven ballots going to the elections canvassing board.
After Thursday’s count, Port Townsend High School teacher Mark Welch’s strong lead narrowed by slightly less than 1 percent over incumbent Port Townsend City Council member Kees Kolff.
Welch garnered 2,217 votes, or 53.32 percent, to Kolff’s 1,928, or 46.37 percent.