Several issues were on the ballot this election, from Charter Amendments for King County to the proposed Sound Transit expansion.
Charter Amendment 1 to make the office of King County prosecuting attorney a nonpartisan position passed with 75.4 percent of the vote. Since 2008, prosecuting attorney was the only elected position in King County that was partisan, with supporters stating that the measure would “strengthen the fairness, independence and integrity of our judicial system.”
Gender-neutral language in the King County Charter was likewise passed, as such numerous sections would be amended to make the language gender-neutral.
In race for senator, Patty Murray beat Chris Vance. In contests for representative, Suzan DelBene beat Robert K. Sutherland, Pramila Jayapal defeated Brady Pinero Walkinshaw, Dave Reichert won over Tony Ventrella, and Adam Smith defeated Doug Basler.
For the office of governor, incumbent Jay Inslee took 68.1 percent of the vote over Bill Bryant with 31.7 percent.
Locally, both Bellevue propositions, a levy to improve fire facilities and a levy for neighborhood safety, connectivity and congestion passed with 57 and 54 percent of the vote respectively.
Issaquah’s Proposition 1 for traffic improvement bonds passed with 54 percent of voters in favor.
ST3, Sound Transit’s plan to expand mass transit in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties passed by a margin of 15.6 percent and authorizes Sound Transit to levy or impose an additional sales and use tax, a property tax and an additional motor vehicle excise tax. The plan is estimated to cost $53.8 billion.
The official statement in favor states “Proposition 1 helps working families, students, seniors, and people with disabilities get to jobs, school and healthcare. After UW and Capitol Hill stations opened this spring, light rail ridership jumped 83 percent. Light rail works, and people love it.” The statement against states “The regressive sales tax increases to 10 percent. Car tab taxes triple. And, for the first time, property taxes get diverted away from schools to Sound Transit. Middle-class families will pay over $25,000 in taxes – $1,000 per year for 25 years – to Sound Transit before ST3 is built and ready to use.”