Updated Nov. 7

With first week returns in for the Nov. 4 General Election, Clallam County’s levy lid lift appears to be failing while a few countywide races that Sequim voted in are close.

The Clallam County Auditor’s Office reports that 22,732 ballots have been counted so far (about 38.2% turnout) with another 4,500 estimated to count. The next tabulation was set to be revealed at 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 10 after the Gazette’s press deadline. The election is set to be certified on Nov. 25.

Countywide consideration

Charter Amendment No. 1 is passing significantly with 17,656 (82.3%) in favor of removing coroner duties from the prosecuting attorney and having the Board of County Commissioners hire for the position.

However, Proposition No. 1, a levy lid lift for county essential public services, is failing by more than 4,000 votes to bring the county’s levy rate for 2026 from 76 cents to 95 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value.

As of the count on Nov. 7, it’s 13,156 votes against (59.3%) and 9,049 for (40.9%) to provide additional funding for county services, such as criminal justice, public safety, public health, land use and park as the county has a projected budget deficit of $1.931 million in 2026, according to a Peninsula Daily News report.

If approved, county staff estimate that in 2026, the owner of a $500,000 home would pay $8 more per month, or $95 more a year in property taxes.

Clallam races

In countrywide races that Sequim voters had a voice in, Port of Port Angeles incumbents Colleen McAleer, district No. 1 (88.5%), and Steve Burke, district No. 2 (85.5%) are sizably winning.

McAleer’s opponent Nate Adkisson said he has withdrawn from the race and states in the voter guide he will immediately resign if elected.

For Hospital District 2 races, Gerald B. Stephanz Jr. is leading incumbent Ann Marie Henninger 11,331 to 8,321 (57.5%-42.2%) for position No. 1, while Carleen Bensen is winning position No. 4 by 11,244 votes to 7,861 (58.6%-40.9%) over opponent Tara B. Coffin.

Incumbent Penney Sanders also has a narrow lead over of Laurie Force by 9,932 votes to 9,646 (50.6%-49.1%).

Since the initial county, incumbent Bill Miano’s lead increased against Mike Taggart, and he leads 5,528 votes to 5,101 (51.8%-47.8%) for Clallam County Fire District 3 fire commissioner position No. 3.

Uncontested

Sequim also featured several uncontested races. Results far include:

• City of Sequim Position 1: Kelly Burger, 1,805 votes, 99.3%.

• City of Sequim Position 3: A. Pete Tjemsland. 1,832 votes, 99.5%

• City of Sequim Position No. 4: Rachel Anderson, 1,797 votes, 98.9%.

• City of Sequim Position No. 5: Brandon Janisse, 1,782 votes, 98.3%.

• City of Sequim Position No. 7: Nicole Hartman, 1,793 votes, 99.2%.

• Sequim School District, Director No. 2: Patrice Johnston, 7,522, 98.5%*

• Sequim School District, Director No. 4: Maren Halvorsen, 7,425, 98.3*

* These races included votes from both Clallam and Jefferson counties as Sequim School District is in both.

• Clallam County Park and Recreation District No. 1, Commissioner No. 2: Frank Pickering, 7,018 votes, 98.3%.

Statewide resolution

State voters are passing Senate Joint Resolution No. 8201 by 984,652 (57.3%) votes in favor to 735,376 (42.8%) against, according to the Secretary of State’s website.

See full local results online here.