Initial special election counts show 2 school bond propositions failing in Whatcom County

WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. — Yesterday, February 13th, a Special Election was held via mail-in ballots regarding approval or rejection of levies and bonds for several school districts, a fire district and a parks and recreation district. Initial counts fell short for 2 school bonds that require a 60% super-majority for approval while all but 1 of the proposed levies appear to have the needed votes to pass.

The following are the initial results after 48,555 ballots had been counted by 8pm yesterday.

Bellingham School District – Educational Support and Operations Replacement Levy

	Vote	Vote %
Approved	14,123	63.93%
Rejected	7,968	36.07%
Total Votes	22,091

Bellingham School District – Technology Capital Projects Replacement Levy

	Vote	Vote %
Approved	14,046	63.61%
Rejected	8,037	36.39%
Total Votes	22,083

Ferndale School District – School Programs and Operations Replacement Levy

	Vote	Vote %
Yes	4,488	54.51%
No	3,746	45.49%
Total Votes	8,234

Blaine School District – Educational Programs and Operations Replacement Levy

	Vote	Vote %
Yes	2,593	57.61%
No	1,908	42.39%
Total Votes	4,501

Blaine School District – $70 million General Obligations Bond (requires 60% super-majority)

	Vote	Vote %
Yes	2,488	54.48%
No	2,079	45.52%
Total Votes	4,567

Lynden School District – Renewal of Educational Programs and Operations Levy

	Vote	Vote %
Yes	3,393	56.44%
No	2,619	43.56%
Total Votes	6,012

Lynden School District – $157.5 million General Obligations Bond (requires 60% super-majority)

	Vote	Vote %
Yes	3,082	50.57%
No	3,012	49.43%
Total Votes	6,094

Meridian School District – Educational Programs and Operations Replacement Levy

	Vote	Vote %
Approved	1,245	53.99%
Rejected	1,061	46.01%
Total Votes	2,306

Meridian School District – Technology Capital Projects Replacement Levy

	Vote	Vote %
Approved	1,269	54.75%
Rejected	1,049	45.25%
Total Votes	2,318

Nooksack Valley School District – Educational Programs and Operations Replacement Levy

	Vote	Vote %
Approved	984	49.67%
Rejected	997	50.33%
Total Votes	1,981

Mount Baker School District – Educational Programs and Operations Replacement Levy

	Vote	Vote %
Approved	1,751	57.33%
Rejected	1,303	42.67%
Total Votes	3,054

Mount Baker School District – Renewal Capital Projects Levy

	Vote	Vote %
Approved	1,764	57.37%
Rejected	1,311	42.63%
Total Votes	3,075

Fire Protection District 8 – Tax Levy for Maintenance, Facilities and Operations

	Vote	Vote %
Approved	719	68.74%
Rejected	327	31.26%
Total Votes	1,046

Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 – Authorizing Continuing Property Tax Levy

	Vote	Vote %
Approved	2,817	68.12%
Rejected	1,313	31.79%
Total Votes	4,130

Lynden School District Superintendent David VanderYacht issued a statement acknowledging the initial count of their capital facilities bond proposition fell short of the required 60% approval need but remained optimistic. “It is a challenging time for school construction funding but I’m confident that the citizens of Lynden will work together to find a path we can all get behind.  Our staff and board directors will be working over the next few months to outline next steps.”

The next ballot count is expected today about 5pm.