The initial results of the 2017 General Election have begun to paint a picture of what the Yakima City Council will look like next year and whether the growing, processing, and sale of recreational marijuana will be allowed in unincorporated areas of Yakima County.  The Yakima County Auditor’s office conducts only one count of ballots on election night and, consequently, issues just one set of returns.  Yakima County uses an all-mail-in voting system, so ballots that are postmarked before midnight on November 7^th will still be considered valid for the General Election.

Tonight’s first count includes all ballots received through Monday, which will represent about 20% of the ballots that have been issued.  Ballots received today and over the next few days will be included in subsequent counts.

In Yakima City Council District 2, Jason White leads Pablo Gonzalez 81.62% (413 votes) to 18.38% ( 93 votes).

Kay Funk has 59.20% of the vote (505 votes) in District 4 compared to Keith Effler’s 39.86% (340 votes).

In District 6, Brad Hill leads Macaela Razo 86.80% (2,065 votes) to 12.99% (309 votes).

Proposition 1 is a non-binding advisory ballot measure asking if Yakima County should continue its ban on the production, processing, and retail sales of recreational marijuana in unincorporated areas of the County.  After tonight’s first count of ballots, Proposition 1 has 60.57% Yes votes (11,803 votes) and 39.43% No votes (7,682 votes), which means a majority of voters so far are indicating the existing ban should remain in place.

The 2017 General Election also features city council races in Yakima County’s 13 other cities and towns as well as mayoral races in Granger, Mabton, Wapato and Zillah.  Seats on special purpose district boards, such as school districts, fire districts, and port districts, are also up for election.  Yakima County Fire District #6 is also asking voters to approve a $1.00 per $1,000 of assessed value property tax levy to help pay for fire protection and emergency medical services.

Three statewide advisory votes are also on the ballot.  To see the entire Yakima County general election ballot returns look on the County Auditor’s website at yakimacounty.us.

Of the 114,819 ballots issued, 20,050 have been returned so far.

Additional ballot counts will be conducted over the next few days.  Ballot counts will continue periodically until all of the ballots that were received before the midnight November 7^th deadline have been tabulated.  The 2017 General Election will be certified on November 28^th.