Based on unofficial primary election results, as of 12 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4, clear favorites have emerged to advance to the general election in November in each of the local races, while votes in support of South Pierce Fire & Rescue Proposition No. 1 are edging out those opposed.
In the Yelm City Council Position 2 race, incumbent Joseph Richardson and Jerry Toompas are set to advance to the general election, although Richardson is maintaining a one-vote lead over incumbent Toompas as of last week, 402-401, while challenger Shaun Keene mustered only 110 votes as of Friday.
In Rainier, Damion Green and Ryan Roth are maintaining a close race, 137-116 votes respectively, but leading over Kirby McDonald, who picked up 104 votes. McDonald could not officially drop out of the race but announced that he would not pursue the position following a loss in his family.
In the Yelm Community Schools District No. 5 race, with results combined between Thurston and Pierce counties, incumbent Bill Hauss has a solid lead, with 2,567 votes, over challengers Karen “Kay” Anderson, 1,255 votes, and Linda Hale, 890 votes. If those results hold, Hauss will face Anderson in the general election in November.
As well, in Pierce County, numbers for the South Pierce Fire & Rescue proposition 1 show more voters in favor than against, 1,842-1,684. If approved, the proposition would restore the property tax levy to its previous approved rate of $1.50 per assessed $1,000 property value to be collected in 2024 with annual increases of up to 6% for the subsequent five years. The 2029 levy dollar amount would then be used to compute the limit for any following levies voters approve. This is not a new tax, as it was originally adopted in 2018.
The voter turnout in Thurston County was 30.73% as of 12 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4, while turnout in Pierce County was 24.69% as of 2 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 3.
Thurston and Pierce county elections offices will update results each day until all the votes are tallied. Go to https://www.thurstoncountywa.gov/departments/auditor/elections and https://www.piercecountywa.gov/328/Elections to check future results.
Results as of 12 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 4
Rainier City Council
Position No. 2
Damion Green: 137 votes
Ryan Roth: 116 votes
Kirby McDonald: 104 votes
Yelm City Council
Position No. 2
Joseph Richardson: 402 votes
Jerry Toompas: 401 votes
Shaun Keane: 110 votes
Yelm Community Schools District No. 5
(Combined Thurston and Pierce counties)
Bill Hauss: 2,567 votes
Karen “Kay” Anderson:
1,255 votes
Linda Hale: 890 votes
South Pierce Fire & Rescue Proposition No. 1
Multi-Year Fire and Emergency Levy Lid Lift The Board of Fire Commissioners of South Pierce Fire & Rescue adopted Resolution No. 2023-005 concerning an increase in the District’s property tax levy. If approved, Proposition No. 1 will restore the District’s regular property tax levy for fire and emergency services to the previous voter-approved rate of one dollar and fifty cents ($1.50) per one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) of assessed valuation for collection in 2024, allow annual increases of up to six (6%) percent for each of the succeeding five (5) years and use the 2029 levy dollar amount for computing the limitation for subsequent levies. Should Proposition 1 be approved?
Yes: 1,842, 52.24%
No: 1,684, 47.76%
