The Pierce Transit funding measure gained 92 votes after Saturday’s ballot tallies, but it’s still failing.
After the latest counts, Proposition 1 is being rejected 50.2 percent to 49.8 percent with 90 percent of the vote counted.
The Pierce County Auditor’s Office reported Saturday that more results will be posted at 5 p.m. today and Monday.
“Rejected” votes are beating “approved” votes by 823.
The 0.4 percent difference does not ensure a recount. Ballot measures aren’t subject to the automatic recount rules for elected office, county Auditor Julie Anderson has said. The campaigns for and against could pay for a full or partial recount – an endeavor that could cost up to about $200,000, Anderson estimated.
Proposition 1 would raise the local sales tax rate by three-tenths of 1 percent, to 9.8 percent. The added revenue is needed to help Pierce Transit recoup sales tax revenues lost during the recession, agency officials say. Without it, Pierce Transit plans to cut weekend buses and service after 7 p.m., and reduce service for the disabled.
Also Saturday, Democrat Kathleen Drew conceded the secretary of state race to Republican Thurston County Auditor Kim Wyman.
Initiative 1240 – the only statewide race that’s still too close to call – remained virtually unchanged Saturday with 90 percent of the vote counted. The measure to authorize charter schools remained passing, 51 percent to 49 percent.
Lewis Kamb: 253-597-8542
lewis.kamb@thenewstribune.com
blog.thenewstribune.com/politics
@lewiskamb
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