PORT ANGELES — Dr. Joshua Jones, Rick Marti and Susan Schotthafer each emerged from Tuesday’s first ballot count with early leads over their opponents for three positions on the Port Angeles School Board.
With as many as 7,000 ballots left to count, it was still to early to count out Gene Erickson, incumbent Lonnie Linn or Jerusha Henson.
The Clallam County Auditor’s Office counted 13,761 ballots on Tuesday night out of 47,481 mailed to registered voters, for a voter turnout of 29 percent in the all-mail election, Auditor Shoona Riggs said.
Another 3,998 ballots were processed but not counted Tuesday and perhaps 2,000 to 3,000 more were placed in drop boxes and await processing, she said.
More ballots are likely to arrive in the mail.
Many voters waited until Monday and Tuesday to return their ballots, Riggs said.
The next count will be by 4:30 p.m. Friday.
For position 3, Jones received 2,477 votes, or 61.31 percent, while Erickson had 1,563 votes, or 38.69 percent of the total votes counted on Tuesday.
Jones, 40, medical director of Peninsula Behavioral Health, said he is pleased with the preliminary results, but is waiting for the final results.
“We’ll let the votes come in and let them be counted,” he said.
Erickson, 66, a 13-year substitute teacher in the Port Angeles School District, also is waiting for more news.
“I’m hopeful,” he said.
For Position 4, Marti received 2,152 votes, or 53.95 percent, and Linn had 1,837 votes, or 46.05 percent of the votes counted Tuesday.
Marti, 70, a building supply trade retiree who has worked as a substitute teacher, was uncertain of how to react regarding his early lead.
“From this race I have learned that Lonnie is very well-qualified. I’m ambivalent,” he said.
Linn, 60, is a construction estimator and sales person who has served on the School Board since 2008.
He was not available for comment Tuesday evening.
For position 5, Henson received 1,733 votes, or 42.81 percent, while Shotthafer had 2,315 votes, or 57.19 percent of the total votes counted Tuesday.
Shotthafer, 68, was a substitute teacher in the district for 11 years, and said the uncertainty causes some anxiety. She is awaiting final results.
“It’s been since May. I’ve put a lot into it,” she said.
Henson, 35, is a former national park ranger and the parent of young children.
“It was a little disappointing,” she said of the early results, and added that even if she doesn’t win, she will remain active in the schools.
Seventeen ballots will go to the canvassing board for a ruling before the Nov. 24 certification of the election.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arice@peninsuladailynews.com.
