Updated special election counts show failing Whatcom County school levy now being approved

WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. — Yesterday, February 15th, an update of Tuesday’s Special Election was reported about 3:40pm. The election sought voter approval or rejection of levies and bonds for several Whatcom County school districts, a fire district and a parks and recreation district. Initial counts continued to fall short for 2 school bonds that require a 60% super-majority for approval while a previously failing proposed levy appears to now have the needed votes to pass.

The following are the initial results after 60,221 ballots had been counted yesterday.

Bellingham School District – Educational Support and Operations Replacement Levy

	Vote	Vote %
Yes	18,422	65.99%
No	9,493	34.01%
Total Votes	27,915

Bellingham School District – Technology Capital Projects Replacement Levy

	Vote	Vote %
Yes	18,281	65.52%
No	9,622	34.48%
Total Votes	27,903

Ferndale School District – School Programs and Operations Replacement Levy

	Vote	Vote %
Yes	5,368	55.28%
No	4,342	44.72%
Total Votes	9,710

Blaine School District – Educational Programs and Operations Replacement Levy

	Vote	Vote %
Yes	3,322	58.19%
No	2,387	41.81%
Total Votes	5,709

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

	Vote	Vote %
Yes	3,175	54.81%
No	2,618	45.19%
Total Votes	5,793

Lynden School District – Renewal of Educational Programs and Operations Levy

	Vote	Vote %
Yes	4,030	57.14%
No	3,023	42.86%
Total Votes	7,052

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

	Vote	Vote %
Yes	3,639	50.98%
No	3,499	49.02%
Total Votes	7,138

Meridian School District – Educational Programs and Operations Replacement Levy

	Vote	Vote %
Yes	1,610	55.29%
No	1,302	44.71%
Total Votes	2,912

Meridian School District – Technology Capital Projects Replacement Levy

	Vote	Vote %
Yes	1,645	56.22%
No	1,281	43.78%
Total Votes	2,926

Nooksack Valley School District – Educational Programs and Operations Replacement Levy

	Vote	Vote %
Yes	1,341	50.91%
No	1,293	49.09%
Total Votes	2,634

Mount Baker School District – Educational Programs and Operations Replacement Levy

	Vote	Vote %
Yes	2,287	59%
No	1,589	41%
Total Votes	3,876

Mount Baker School District – Renewal Capital Projects Levy

	Vote	Vote %
Yes	2,296	58.9%
No	1,602	41.1%
Total Votes	3,898

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

	Vote	Vote %
Yes	924	69.79%
No	400	30.21%
Total Votes	1,324

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

	Vote	Vote %
Yes	3,560	68.94%
No	1,604	31.06%
Total Votes	5,164

The next ballot count is expected February 22nd with final certification expected on February 23rd.