Rossi gains in late ballots

It’s starting to look like a recount may be needed to determine who will be the state’s next governor.

Democrat Christine Gregoire led Republican Dino Rossi by less than two-tenths of a percent Friday night after the latest batch of absentee ballots was counted statewide.

She holds a 4,001-vote edge out of 2.48 million votes. An estimated 360,000 absentee and provisional ballots remain to be counted.

Recounts are required under state law when an election is decided by a half-percent or less.

Snohomish County elections manager Carolyn Diepenbrock said Friday night that her office has been inundated with calls about the governor’s race.

“When are you going to file the results online?” she said they wanted to know.

Meanwhile, longtime state Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen probably slept better last night.

After 22 years in the Legislature, Haugen faced a tough challenge from Mount Vernon City Councilwoman April Axthelm in Tuesday’s general election.

But after Snohomish County tabulated 59,379 absentee ballots Friday, and Island and Skagit counties updated their numbers, Haugen increased her lead in the 10th Legislative District race. She gathered 25,230 votes, for 50 percent, compared with Axthelm’s 23,747, or 47 percent.

In another close 10th District race, Clinton Republican Chris Strow continues to lead Democratic Coupeville Mayor Nancy Conard for the Position 1 House seat. Strow has 24,476 votes, or 50 percent, to Conard’s 23,156, or 47 percent. The winner will replace retiring Republican Barry Sehlin.

In the 1st Legislative District, in south Snohomish County, Democrat Mark Ericks continues to lead Republican Joshua Freed 51 percent to 49 percent. The vote total was 27,771 to 26,456.

And in Mill Creek, the lead expanded for an emergency services levy, 61 percent to 39 percent. It takes 60 percent to pass, and was only leading by a few votes earlier this week. The tally now is 3,779 to 2,422.

Despite the close races, county Auditor Bob Terwilliger said he doesn’t expect any recounts in local races. “Nothing here’s a recount,” he said.

Terwilliger said about 10,000 provisional ballots will be counted on Wednesday, along with 10,000 outtakes – when the counting machines spit out a ballot for some reason, such as an errant marking.

Provisional ballots usually occur when people go to the wrong polling place because they have moved or lose their absentee ballot and vote at the polls.

“We have to cross-check those,” Terwilliger said.

The number of provisional ballots is up because so many more people voted in the presidential election. The county signed up 50,000 new voters this year, 22,000 of them since the September primary.

With almost 20,000 remaining ballots, turnout is at 78.5 percent, or 276,171.

Terwilliger said he appreciated all the attention the election got nationwide. Lawyers hired by the Democratic and Republican parties didn’t have much to do here, he said. “It was like watching paint dry,” Terwilliger said.

He said he hopes the scrutiny continues, because it only makes the system better.

“I hope it won’t go away,” he said. “My fear is the next election nobody will watch.

“Now, more people understand the mystery we call elections.”

Assistant city editor Steve Powell: 425-339-3427 or powell@ heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Employees and patrons of the Everett Mall signed a timeline mural that traces the history of the 51-year-old indoor mall that was once considered the premier place to go shopping in the city. Thursday, March 20, 2025 (Aaron Kennedy / The Herald)
Mall mural offers nostalgic trip into the past

Past and present Everett Mall employees joined customers Thursday to view an artistic timeline of the once popular shopping mecca.

Edmonds Mayor Mike Rosen gives his State of the City address on Thursday, March 20 in Edmonds, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Edmonds mayor talks budget at 2025 State of the City

Mayor Mike Rosen discussed the city’s deficit and highlights from his first year in office.

Public’s help needed to find missing Arlington man

The 21-year-old left the house Sunday night without his shoes, cell phone or a jacket, and was reported missing the following morning.

The Marysville Tulalip Campus on the Tulalip Reservation, where Legacy High School is located. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Marysville board votes to keep Legacy High at current location

The move rolls back a decision the school board made in January to move the alternative high school at the start of next school year.

The former Marysville City Hall building along State Avenue on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
City of Marysville, school board amend property exchange

The city will relocate its public works facility to the district’s current headquarters, which will move to the former City Hall.

Snohomish County Elections employees Alice Salcido, left and Joseph Rzeckowski, right, pull full bins of ballots from the Snohomish County Campus ballot drop box on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County to mail ballots for Edmonds, Brier elections

Registered voters should receive their ballots by April 9 for the April 22 special election.

A stormwater diversion structure which has been given a notice for repairs along a section of the Perrinville Creek north of Stamm Overlook Park that flows into Browns Bay in Edmonds, Washington on Thursday, July 18, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Edmonds Hearing Examiner decides on Perrinville Creek saga

The examiner revoked the city’s Determination of Non-Significance, forcing Edmonds to address infrastructure issues on the creek

Don Sharrett talks John Wrice through his trimming technique on Friday, March 14, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett barber school offers $5 haircuts — if you’re brave enough

Students get hands-on practice. Willing clients get a sweet deal.

Our Lady of Hope Fr. Joseph Altenhofen outside of his parish’s building that will be the new home of Hope ‘N Wellness on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Hope ‘N Wellness location to open Wednesday in Everett

Our Lady of Hope Church will host the social service organization at 2617 Cedar St. in Everett.

Amtrak Cascades train 517 to Portland departs from Everett Station on Saturday, Sep. 2, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Limited train service to resume on Amtrak Cascades

Trains will have less capacity for now, but service is expected to resume for some routes as early as Tuesday.

Marysville
Police: 66-year-old Marysville man dead from fatal stabbing

A neighbor found the man unconscious on the sidewalk as the result of an apparent stabbing. Police said they are looking for suspects.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Driver, suspected of DUI, hits WSP vehicle on I-5 near Everett

The trooper was blocking the HOV lane for a previous collision when his vehicle was struck Saturday morning.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.