PORT ANGELES — Shoona Riggs held a commanding lead over Kim Yacklin in the Clallam County auditor race after the first ballot count Tuesday.
Riggs received 8,676 votes, or 58.79 percent, while Yacklin had 6,082 votes, or 41.21 percent.
Yacklin, who learned of the results online from home, said the gap between the voting percentages was too much to overcome with the ballots that remain to be counted and Riggs had likely won the election.
“My congratulations to Mrs. Riggs,” Yacklin said.
Nearly 20 minutes after the results became available to the crowd that filled the Clallam County Courthouseon Tuesday night, Riggs emerged from the Auditor’s Office to a large group of family and friends.
“It’s a relief. It’s exciting. And it’s bittersweet,” Riggs said.
Riggs, 41, of Port Angeles is currently the county chief deputy auditor and elections supervisor.
She continued working in that position during the election, with safeguards that included reduced duties and additional supervision from Auditor Patty Rosand, who is retiring.
Riggs said she supervised and trained employees and volunteers but did not take part in the opening of ballots or signature checking.
“All I was doing was scanning and resolving ballots with Patty [Rosand],” she said.
Yacklin, 50, said that while she wanted to win, the campaign itself was a great experience.
“I’m not disappointed. We worked a great campaign. I am proud of my friends and family,” Yacklin said.
The Clallam County Auditor’s Office counted 18,242 ballots Tuesday out of 46,908 issued for a voter turnout of 38.9 percent, Rosand said.
The Auditor’s Office received 3,952 ballots Tuesday in the mail and in drop boxes. Those were not counted Tuesday night, but brought voter turnout to 47.13 percent.
Rosand expects 7,000 more ballots to come in by Wednesday.
The next count of the approximately 11,000 ballots has been scheduled for Friday, Rosand said.
Yacklin, a Port Angeles resident, is the administrative coordinator for county health and human services.
The Auditor’s Office records real-property documents and marriage licenses, processes driver’s licenses and oversees the county elections division, among other tasks.
________
Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.
