Too-close fire district election brings recount; new election to be held in Coyle

PORT TOWNSEND – A recount in a Fire Protection District No. 1 race and another election in a bid for a water district seat in Coyle are planned in Jefferson County after the canvassing board’s final tally of the Nov. 6 general election on Tuesday.

The canvassing board counted 24 additional ballots, which came from voters who had fixed problems with their challenged ballots before Monday’s deadline.

The overall voter turnout was 62.18, with 13,013 ballots returned of the 20,928 sent out.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

A machine recount is planned at 8 a.m. Dec. 3 for the position 1 commission seat in Fire Protection District No. 1.

The margin was slim.

Zane Wyll had 1,892 votes, or 49.97 percent, and Pete Langley had 1,881 votes, or 49.68 percent.

The two candidates had been neck-and-neck since the first vote count on Nov. 6, with subsequent counts narrowing the spread.

Neither candidate was available for comment Tuesday.

Jefferson County Auditor Donna Eldridge expects no change.

“We truly believe it’s going to be the same,” she said.

That’s because the ballot tabulator was tested and has been found to tabulate perfectly, she said.

State law requires a machine recount if the vote spread between two candidates falls within 0.25 percent.

More in News

Mason Combs is 4 feet, 3 inches tall and has red hair, according to the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office. (Clallam County Sheriff’s Office)
Child located after agencies partner on search

A 10-year-old boy who had been missing since Tuesday has… Continue reading

Sequim research lab testing ways to use seaweed, resources

PNNL is only Department of Energy lab with marine facilities

Bonnie Obremski, front left, substitute garden manager, and volunteers Susan Savelle, yellow visor, Sarah Maloy, left rear, Paulette De Llario, right rear, and Mary Claire Hunt, rear, helped clean up the Salish Coast Production Garden at the Salish Elementary School in Port Townsend on Saturday. The garden produced more than 5,000 pounds of produce used for the school lunches last year and farmers are aiming for 7,000 pounds in 2025. Hunt will be honored as a community health hero by the Jefferson County Public Health department for her efforts in bringing together farmers and gardeners who donate their crops to the Jefferson County food bank with a presentation on Thursday at the Board of Jefferson County Commissioners’ chambers at the Jefferson County Courthouse. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Garden cleanup

Bonnie Obremski, front left, substitute garden manager, and volunteers Susan Savelle, yellow… Continue reading

Foundation purchases hospital equipment

Linear accelerator to be installed in May

Port Townsend updated on city’s workplan

Forty-five of 61 projects on track, city manager says

Welfare for Animals Guild receives $1,500 to provide spay and neuter services at the guild’s free veterinary clinics. Pictured, from left, are Laura Nieborsky, Barb Brabant, Emily Murphy and Mel Marshall.
Garden club makes donations through local grant program

The Port Angeles Garden Club has announced donations to… Continue reading

Facilities district for pool paused

Jefferson County does not receive grant

From left, Port Angeles school board members Sarah Methner, Mary Hebert, Stan Willams, Superintendent Marty Brewer, Kirsten Williams, Sandy Long and Nolan Duce, the district’s director of maintenance, turn the first shovel of dirt on Saturday at the location of the new construction just north of the present Stevens Middle School. An estimated crowd of 150 attended the ceremonial ground breaking. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Port Angeles School District breaks ground at new middle school

Building is expected to open to students in 2027

Family displaced following house fire

A Clallam County family has been displaced due a… Continue reading

Two investigated for burglarizing home

The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office has arrested two individuals… Continue reading

Beach cleanups set for Earth Day weekend

Beach cleanups, a seed exchange, seed planting and music will mark Earth… Continue reading

Easter egg hunts scheduled for Saturday

Easter activities, including egg hunts and pictures with the Easter bunny, are… Continue reading