WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. — Ballots continue to be counted in a Special Election held via mail-in ballots February 8th regarding approval or rejection of property taxes for 2 school districts and a proposed library. Yesterday’s updated counts fell short for 1 proposition that requires a 60% super-majority for approval while growing past 60% for another.
Final ballot count certification is expected to happen February 18th.
The following are the updated results after 40,368 ballots had been counted by 4:20pm yesterday.
Bellingham School District 501 Proposition 2022-3 General Obligation Bonds – $122,000,000 (requires 60% super-majority)
| Vote | Vote % | |
|---|---|---|
| Approved | 16,453 | 60.6% |
| Rejected | 10,698 | 39.4% |
| Total Votes | 27,151 |
Ferndale School District 502 Proposition 2022-1 School Programs and Operations Replacement Levy
| Vote | Vote % | |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | 6,005 | 59.79% |
| No | 4,038 | 40.21% |
| Total Votes | 10,043 |
Whatcom County Rural Library District Proposition 2022-2 Establishing the Birch Bay Library Capital Facility Area (requires 60% super-majority)
| Vote | Vote % | |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | 1,875 | 56.94% |
| No | 1,418 | 43.06% |
| Total Votes | 3,293 |
Officials with the Ferndale School District issued a statement about 8:30pm February 8th declaring their levy proposition had been approved.
Click for more information
Click for more informationBellingham Public Schools officials issued a statement on February 8th acknowledging the initial count fell short of the required 60% approval need but remained optimistic. After the updated county moved the approval county above 60%, they said, “While the results of this election are not certified until Feb. 18, we are feeling hopeful we have met the supermajority threshold required by state law.”
A Friends of the Birch Bay Library spokesperson issued a public statement after the updated count last night, September 9th, stating, “The Friends will be meeting to talk about our next steps with fundraising. While we all feel a bit down, we are definitely not out!”
The next ballot count is expected February 17th at about 5pm.
