PORT TOWNSEND — Ken McMillen had a small margin in the race against Jim Pivarnik for Jefferson County Public Utility District commissioner on Tuesday night.
After 15,933 ballots were tallied on Tuesday, McMillen led by 5.11 percent — a margin that could close, according to Jefferson County elections officials.
McMillen had 6,080 votes, or 5.11 percent, to Pivarnik’s 5,485 votes, for 47.03 percent.
“I hear that I’m ahead,” said McMillen, an aviation consultant and contractor. “But you never know, so I’m happy with the present results.”
Said Pivarnik, deputy director of the Port of Port Townsend: “It’s one of those things where you don’t want to concede yet, but I do want to congratulate Ken.”
Jefferson County Auditor Donna Eldridge said 2,062 ballots were delivered to the courthouse late Tuesday, and were not included in the results. An additional 239 ballots require inspection.
Ballots not included in Tuesday night’s count will be tallied on Friday at a time not yet determined.
Ballots were sent to 22,160 registered voters across Jefferson County, and Tuesday’s tally included all ballots received by 2:30 p.m. Friday, or 71.89 percent of the possible total.
Proposition 1
Both candidates said they were excited by the apparent approval of Proposition 1, which would allow the PUD, which now offers sewer and water service, to provide electrical power in east Jefferson County.
The new commissioner will replace appointed commissioner Kelly Hays, who decided not to run after serving three years in the position that pays $1,000 a month.
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Reporter Erik Hidle can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at erik.hidle@peninsuladailynews.com
