SEQUIM — Unless voters are closely split over funding a $5.16 million replacement maintenance and operations levy, results from ballots tallied tonight in the all-mail election could give Sequim School District officials, employees and citizen volunteers immediate relief — or dismay.
The special election follows a failed levy request in February, when the district sought $5.44 million over two years.
This time, those looking for a victory hope an aggressive campaign, including thousands of phone calls made to district voters, will make the difference.
Voter turnout so far has been high.
By Monday, nearly 12,800 ballots out of 18,400 distributed –nearly 70 percent — had been returned to auditor’s offices in Clallam and Jefferson counties.
The school district extends into a Jefferson County precinct for 220 registered voters in Gardiner.
Layoff notices
School board members recently approved layoff notices for 14 staff members after February’s levy request failed by a slight margin.
They also voted to cut most of the five Sequim schools’ extracurricular activities, including competitive athletics, music and drama.
Mailed ballots must be postmarked with today’s date, or deposited by 8 p.m. in drop boxes at the Clallam County Courthouse (for Clallam voters) at 224 E. Fourth St., Port Angeles, or the Sequim Vehicle & Vessel Licensing agency, 1001 E. Washington St., Sequim.; or at the Jefferson County Courthouse (for Gardiner voters only) at 1820 Jefferson St., Port Townsend.
Sequim mail carriers do not pick up outgoing mail after 5 p.m.
