Jefferson County counts 85 more ballots; no changes in primary rankings

PORT TOWNSEND — The Jefferson County auditor counted an additional 85 ballots Friday, and reported that results of the District 3 commissioner’s race and the fire levy ballot question remained the same as reported Tuesday.

The office will count another 14 ballots at 10 a.m. Sept. 1, prior to certification of the primary election.

About 30 ballots were submitted without signatures or with questionable signatures. Voters can clear up ballot questions before Sept. 1, and the votes will be counted.

Auditor Donna Eldridge reported 12,437 votes were cast from 21,704 sent to voters in the all-mail election, representing a 57.3 percent turnout.

The result of neither the District 3 commissioner vote nor the ballot measure to raise property tax in Port Townsend to support fire services changed since the initial count Tuesday night.

Port Ludlow home-builder Jim Boyer, 64, and incumbent John Austin, 69, also of Port Ludlow will face each other on the Nov. 2 general election ballot.

Voters within the city of Port Townsend quashed a proposed property tax increase that would have raised the city levy rate for fire services by 43 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation, with 1,966 votes, or 54.84 percent, opposed to 1,619 votes, or 43.16 percent, in favor.

Five county incumbents were unopposed, and will now serve until December 2014.

Those are Eldridge, Sheriff Tony Hernandez, Superior Court Clerk Ruth Gordon, Assessor Jack Westerman and Treasurer Judi Morris.

The district judge contest between incumbent Jill Landes and Port Townsend attorney John Wood will be decided in November.

More in News

U.S. Rep. Emily Randall.
US Rep. Randall speaks on House floor about insurance

Example of fictional family shows premium increase of more than 1,000 percent

Spending patterns led to pool audit

Office identifies $33K in unsupported payments

Comments oppose plan against Port Townsend zoning changes

Option would increase maximum limit on units per 40,000 square feet

x
Sequim program uses grant for utilities, rent

Community support through Peninsula Home Fund gives $10,000 to organization

Firefighters Tyler Gage and Tatiana Hyldahl check out the light connections on the 1956 fire truck that will travel the streets of Port Angeles during the 41st Operation Candy Cane beginning Monday. Santa and his helpers will pass out candy canes to those who donate food items or cash. The runs will begin at 5:30 p.m. and include the following areas: Monday, west of I street and M street; Tuesday, I and L streets to C street; Wednesday, C Street to Lincoln Street; Thursday, Chase Street to Chambers Street; Friday, Jones Street to Golf Course Road; Dec. 13, above Lauridsen Boulevard. It will be stationary from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Dec. 14 at the Port Angeles Grocery Outlet and during the same time on Dec. 15 at Lower Elwha Food and Fuel. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Operation Candy Cane

Firefighters Tyler Gage and Tatiana Hyldahl check out the light connections on… Continue reading

Online survey launched for Sequim parks access

The city of Sequim has launched an online survey to… Continue reading

Crews work to remove metal siding on the north side of Field Arts & Events Hall on Thursday in Port Angeles. The siding is being removed so it can be replaced. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Siding to be replaced

Crews work to remove metal siding on the north side of Field… Continue reading

Tsunami study provides advice

Results to be discussed on Jan. 20 at Field Hall

Chef Arran Stark speaks with attendees as they eat ratatouille — mixed roasted vegetables and roasted delicata squash — that he prepared in his cooking with vegetables class. (Elijah Sussman/Peninsula Daily News)
Nonprofit school is cooking at fairgrounds

Remaining lectures to cover how to prepare salmon and chicken

Port Townsend Main Street Program volunteers, from left, Amy Jordan, Gillian Amas and Sue Authur, and Main Street employees, Sasha Landes, on the ladder, and marketing director Eryn Smith, spend a rainy morning decorating the community Christmas tree at the Haller Fountain on Wednesday. The tree will be lit at 4 p.m. Saturday following Santa’s arrival by the Kiwanis choo choo train. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Decoration preparation

Port Townsend Main Street Program volunteers, from left, Amy Jordan, Gillian Amas… Continue reading

Port Angeles approves balanced $200M budget

City investing in savings for capital projects