Preliminary election results show voters in Thurston County are so far in support of increasing the Thurston County Board of Commissioners from three to five people.
Out of 66,584 total votes, about 55% of ballots, or 36,469 people, supported the measure, while 45%, or 30,115 people, opposed the measure.
If approved, the county will be divided into five commissioner districts so that each one comprises as close to one-fifth of the population as possible.
The effort to expand the BOCC is in coordination with the Port of Olympia. The two entities signed a joint resolution in fall of 2021 to put forward ballot measures to expand both governing bodies.
The port’s measure to expand from three to five commissioners who would serve in five newly created districts had 50.49%, or 33,329 votes, in favor of the measure, while 49.51%, or 32,683 votes, were cast in opposition.
There are an estimated 30,000 ballots left to count. The next tally is set to take place at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 9.
The voter turnout rate in Thurston County as of Tuesday night was 35.52%. The election is set to be certified on Nov. 29.
