PORT TOWNSEND — Those who led in contested Jefferson County races in Tuesday’s initial count of general election ballots maintained significant advantages when the county auditor’s office processed an additional 866 ballots Thursday.
Kate Dean was ahead of fellow Jefferson County commissioner candidate Tim Thomas 11,247 votes to 5,770 votes — 66.09 percent to 33.91 percent — after the third ballot count in as many days.
Dean had 66.17 percent support after Wednesday’s second count.
Jeff Randall was leading incumbent Jefferson County Public Utility District commissioner Barney Burke 9,485 votes to 5,827 votes — 61.94 percent to 38.06 percent — on Thursday.
Randall had 61.93 percent of the vote Wednesday.
A Brinnon measure to fund Jefferson County Parks and Recreation District 2 with a tax levy remained under the 60 percent supermajority it needed for passage.
The first tax levy since voters created the Brinnon park district in 2012 had 54.79 percent support as of Thursday, up from 54.7 percent Wednesday.
The Brinnon measure had 406 yes votes and 335 no votes Thursday.
Jefferson County elections officials said there were about 900 countywide ballots left to count. The next ballot count is scheduled for Monday.
In the 24th Legislative District, which includes Jefferson, Clallam and part of Grays Harbor County, the candidates who were leading Wednesday maintained solid advantages Thursday.
Kevin Van De Wege, D-Sequim, led Port Ludlow GOP-independent Danille Turissini 58.3 percent to 41.7 percent.
Incumbent State Rep. Steve Tharinger, D-Sequim, led John Alger, R-Sequim, 58.5 percent to 41.5 percent.
Mike Chapman, D-Port Angeles, led George Vrable, R-Port Ludlow, 61.8 percent to 38.2 percent.
At the top of the ticket, Jefferson County voters favored Hillary Clinton over President-elect Donald Trump by a 62.61 percent to 29.86 percent margin.
The general election will be certified Nov. 29.
Voter turnout in Jefferson County was 81.33 percent as of Thursday.
The county auditor’s office had processed 19,973 ballots that were mailed to 24,557 registered voters.
Jefferson County voter turnout in the last presidential year in 2012 was 88.35 percent.
In 2008, Jefferson County voter turnout was 91.27 percent.
________
Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56450, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
Jeff Randall
