WA counties certify 2014 election results
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Washington's 39 counties have certified their 2014 election returns, in an election dominated by legislative and congressional races, state and local ballot propositions, and local races.
Turnout here, as in the rest of the country, was comparatively low for a mid-term election. In Washington, the county tallies totalled 2.12 million votes, or 54.16 percent of the ballots that were mailed out. That was similar to the 56 percent turnout in 2002, the last mid-term election that did not feature a U.S. Senate race to generate widespread voter attention. The Secretary of State's Office had forecast a more robust 62 percent return rate, based on the last two mid-term elections, 2010 (71 percent) and 2006 (65 percent), both with hotly contested U.S. Senate showdowns.
The 2014 was the lowest turnout since the 52.5 percent in 1978.
Predictions that rival gun measures would generate nationally-watched controversy and serve as a voter-magnet also failed to pan out. In the end, Initiative 594, expanding background checks for gun purchases, passed by a landslide 59 percent (75 percent in King) ... and the rival plan offered by gun-owner groups, I-591, failed 55-45, with the National Rifle Association choosing not to engage heavily.
Although four local races are going to recount, no legislative, congressional or judicial race was close enough to trigger a recount.
Secretary of State Kim Wyman and Gov. Jay Inslee will certify the state returns on Tuesday, Dec. 2. The pair of initiatives that passed will take effect Dec. 4, 30 days after Election Day.
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Secretary of State
Steve Hobbs
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