King County Elections just released their latest results, and of the 27,151 Seattle ballots counted today, Mike McGinn expanded his narrow lead over Joe Mallahan by 54 votes, taking a 515 vote advantage in the mayor’s race, 65,172 to 64,657.
Countywide, KCE dropped a total of 68,507 new ballots today, with Seattle ballots comprising a somewhat disproportionate share. In fact, thus far, Seattle is reporting 36.52% turnout compared to only 34.93% for the county as a whole. As a result, it should be no surprise that Susan Hutchison’s numbers continue to fall, with her now trailing Dow Constantine 58.12% to 41.67%. That’s a better than 16 point margin… you know… David Irons numbers.
Meanwhile, in the one statewide contest with any drama left, R-71 continues to expand its lead, even while King still trails the rest of the state in reported turnout. R-71 is now passing by 61,394 votes, or a 4.7% margin. Looks like my earlier predictions were right on the money.
So what does all this mean in terms of trends? Not all that much yet.
With today’s drop, KCE should have finally worked its way through the ballots it had already received and sorted as of 5PM Friday, and while ballots are not necessarily tallied in any sort of chronological order, we can be somewhat certain that the remaining ballots consist mostly of those that were mailed during the final days of the campaign. So if there is a trend, liberal or conservative, for McGinn or for Mallahan, it should start making itself known tomorrow.
That said, I’m guessing the McGinn camp is breathing a little easier this evening than they were after yesterday’s returns.
UPDATE:
The Seattle Times just reported what the rest of us already knew on election night: “Voters approve Referendum 71“. So I guess it’s official, what with them being the paper of record and all. Time for teh gays to celebrate.
Go McGinn.
People are finally starting to realize that “business” people like Mallahan are precisely the type of people who destroyed the economy of the United States.
Teh gays? What a cold-hearted, insensitive bastard you are.
Go wait in a corner until Monday or Tuesday before we know.
Bud Baxter–
Your generalization about “business people” destroying the economy appears to let the Unions totally off the hook.
The Mayor must be involved in Union negotiations.
Sky is the limit, right Bud?
I understand the Seattle mayor’s race is headed for a recount.
Go McGinn!
Fucking lazy counters. I could do that many myself! Ready, 1,2,3,4,5,6,7, BAG FROM ACORN,2000,2001,2002,2003, Another bag from Acorn 14000,14001,14002 It’s a landslide oh wait we found more ballots in a box.
Go McGinn!!!
Either way though, the tunnel will never get built.
Best,
new left conservative
Poor conservatives. They’ve clearly fallen on hard times. They used to have good boogeymen, like the Soviet Union or the Chinese. Now all they have left to fear is a little ACORN.
@8;
yeah, it’s funny to watch.