After latest tally, Pasco school bond measure failing by about 2 votes

If you think your individual vote doesn't make a difference, consider the Pasco, Wash., school bond election.

The school district's $99.5 million measure was passing by three votes late last week.

After another tally Monday, it's failing by about two votes.

Election-Vote-Ballot

And the results still could change.

More ballots could arrive via mail in in the next couple of days, and Franklin County still has 113 challenged ballots that could ultimately prove to be valid.

The latest update has the school bond drawing 6,221 yes votes. That's 59.99 percent of the total 10,369 votes cast in the race.

The bond needs 60 percent plus one vote to pass.

The next count will happen in the next couple of days, depending on when more ballots come in.

The election will be certified Nov. 28.

"The district continues to monitor the results closely," Pasco Superintendent Michelle Whitney said in a statement. "We know the county Auditor's Office has an important job to do and we appreciate their diligence to make sure that all the votes are counted. We will continue to monitor the results until the canvassing board meets and the election is officially certified on Nov. 28."

Roger Lenk, who led opposition to the bond, said he's also keeping a close eye on the tallies.

"(The results) continue to say that the people aren't really excited about how the Pasco School District spends its money. That's the ultimate message," he said.

The school district proposed the bond to address overcrowding. If approved, it would pay for two new elementary schools, a new middle school and rebuilding Stevens Middle school.

It would cost property owners an estimated 59 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, or $118 annually for a $200,000 home.

A $69.5 million bond proposal failed at the ballot box in February.

Tribune Content Agency
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