Elections

A person turns in their ballot at a ballot box located near the Edmonds Library in Edmonds, Washington on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Suspicious mail sent to Snohomish County elections office

The auditor’s office, which was still counting votes, said the mail matched the description of envelopes received by other counties.

A person turns in their ballot at a ballot box located near the Edmonds Library in Edmonds, Washington on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Two election workers seal up boxes of ballots after closing the county courthouse ballot box at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, in downtown Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

54 votes separate Mill Creek race; some gaps widen in new ballot count

The outcome of many major races remained largely unchanged with updated election results Wednesday in Snohomish County.

Two election workers seal up boxes of ballots after closing the county courthouse ballot box at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, in downtown Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Susanna Johnson speaks to the media and community at 230 Ave B. in Snohomish, Washington on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Johnson ‘cautiously optimistic’ with lead for Snohomish County sheriff

Incumbent Adam Fortney trailed challenger Susanna Johnson in initial tallies Tuesday. The gap slightly narrowed Wednesday.

Susanna Johnson speaks to the media and community at 230 Ave B. in Snohomish, Washington on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Susanna Johnson delivers preliminary election results stating she is in the lead for the Snohomish County Sheriff 2023 election at 230 Ave B. in Snohomish, Washington on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

5 big takeaways from election night in Snohomish County

Edmonds and Arlington voters chose change. In Everett, not so much. And Democrats were cruising at the county level, with one exception.

Susanna Johnson delivers preliminary election results stating she is in the lead for the Snohomish County Sheriff 2023 election at 230 Ave B. in Snohomish, Washington on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Jen Hirman, left, Charles Mister, Charles Adkins and Ryne Rohla.

See who won school board races in Everett, Marysville, Edmonds

In Everett, Charles Adkins led Ryne Rohla for an open seat. And a Monroe school board race was separated by 9 votes.

Jen Hirman, left, Charles Mister, Charles Adkins and Ryne Rohla.
Vincent J. Cavaleri, left, and Tannis Golebiewski

Winners emerge in council races: 27-year incumbent unseated in Lynnwood

Snohomish’s ex-mayor, John Kartak, lost a bid to return to city government. Vincent Cavaleri held a narrow lead for Mill Creek City Council.

Vincent J. Cavaleri, left, and Tannis Golebiewski
Top row: Demi Chatters and Judy Tuohy. Bottom row: Scott Bader and Judith Martinez

Familiar faces win Everett City Council, Port of Everett races

Scott Bader and Judy Tuohy looked set to serve on the council again. And in the Port of Everett commissioner race, 12-year incumbent Tom Stiger fended off a challenger.

Top row: Demi Chatters and Judy Tuohy. Bottom row: Scott Bader and Judith Martinez
Mike Nelson, left, and Mike Rosen

Rosen unseats incumbent Nelson in race for Edmonds mayor

Early returns favored Mike Rosen over Mike Nelson. Meanwhile in Arlington, Mayor Barb Tolbert trailed challenger Don Vanney.

Mike Nelson, left, and Mike Rosen
Top row: Miguel M. Duran, left, and Brett Rogers. Bottom row: Mary Anderson, left, and Patrick Moriarty.

Incumbent judges win both races for Snohomish County Superior Court

Judge Patrick Moriarty was winning against attorney Mary Anderson. Judge Miguel Duran led his challenger Brett Rogers.

Top row: Miguel M. Duran, left, and Brett Rogers. Bottom row: Mary Anderson, left, and Patrick Moriarty.
Bob Hagglund, left, and Dave Somers, right

Incumbents lead for Snohomish County executive, council, assessor

Dave Somers and Megan Dunn, both Democrats, held big leads in county executive and county council races.

Bob Hagglund, left, and Dave Somers, right
Garth Fell, incumbent Snohomish County Auditor, cracks a smile as the first results of the 2023 election appear on a screen at the elections office in Administrative Building West on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, in downtown Everett, Washington. Fell led by nearly 20% after initial results. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Fell leads race to remain Snohomish County auditor

Garth Fell, who ran as a nonpartisan candidate, was leading fellow election insider Cindy Gobel by almost 20% on Tuesday night.

Garth Fell, incumbent Snohomish County Auditor, cracks a smile as the first results of the 2023 election appear on a screen at the elections office in Administrative Building West on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, in downtown Everett, Washington. Fell led by nearly 20% after initial results. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Election

Snohomish County’s guide to the 2023 election

Here is everything you need to know before Election Day.

Election
Election workers remove ballots from their envelopes before sending them to be counted at the Snohomish County Auditor’s office on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, in downtown Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

What you need to know on Election Day in Snohomish County

Deliver your votes to a ballot box before 8 p.m. to ensure your voice is heard in this year’s general election.

Election workers remove ballots from their envelopes before sending them to be counted at the Snohomish County Auditor’s office on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, in downtown Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Top from left: Roger Pence, Christine Eck and Mackey Guenther. Bottom from left: Michelle Dotsch, Susan Paine and Kevin Fagerstrom.

Housing, zoning, policing are top topics in Edmonds City Council races

At least two seats will be filled by fresh faces. One incumbent, Susan Paine, faces a challenger, Kevin Fagerstrom.

Top from left: Roger Pence, Christine Eck and Mackey Guenther. Bottom from left: Michelle Dotsch, Susan Paine and Kevin Fagerstrom.
Top row: Nick Coelho, left, Julieta Altamirano-Crosby, David Parshall Bottom row: Jim Smith, left, Robert Leutwyler, Derek Hanusch

Lynnwood council candidates face decisions on housing, transportation

More than half of the Lynnwood City Council could be filled with new faces after ballots are counted Tuesday.

Top row: Nick Coelho, left, Julieta Altamirano-Crosby, David Parshall Bottom row: Jim Smith, left, Robert Leutwyler, Derek Hanusch
Tabitha Baty, left, Rob Serviss, Sarah Adams and Sherri Larkin.

Snohomish school board candidates focus on success, parent involvement

Tabitha Baty and Rob Serviss are competing to represent District 2. In District 4, incumbent Sarah Adams is facing Sherri Larkin.

Tabitha Baty, left, Rob Serviss, Sarah Adams and Sherri Larkin.
Snohomish County Sheriff candidate Adam Fortney during an Everett Council of Neighborhoods forum on Monday, Oct. 16, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Days before election, sheriff admits violating campaign finance law

Snohomish County Sheriff Adam Fortney agreed to pay a $450 fine after he was accused of accepting contributions over state limits.

Snohomish County Sheriff candidate Adam Fortney during an Everett Council of Neighborhoods forum on Monday, Oct. 16, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Carin Chase, left, Nicholas Logan, Nancy Katims and Nicholas Jenkins

Edmonds school board candidates focus on funding, core subjects

A projected $15 million budget deficit means finances — and looming cuts — are top of mind for candidates.

Carin Chase, left, Nicholas Logan, Nancy Katims and Nicholas Jenkins
Jen Hirman, left, Charles Mister, Charles Adkins and Ryne Rohla.

Everett school board candidates offer dueling priorities

Incumbent Jen Hirman is running against Charles Mister to fill Position 2. Charles Adkins and Ryne Rohla are competing for Position 5.

Jen Hirman, left, Charles Mister, Charles Adkins and Ryne Rohla.
Patrick Moriarty, left, and Mary Anderson

Judge race pits candidates running on ‘diverse’ resume vs. legal resume

Patrick Moriarty points to his decades working in courtrooms. Mary Anderson wants more “diversity of thought” on the bench.

Patrick Moriarty, left, and Mary Anderson