Voter turnout might be record

OLYMPIA — Washington's turnout for the Nov. 4 election is expected to set a modern record at nearly 85 percent.

Election staff members at the office of Secretary of State Sam Reed said vote-counting trends Thursday show the state is on track to count about 3.1 million ballots statewide — the first time that more than 3 million have been counted.

About 2.8 million ballots were counted in the disputed 2004 governor's race. After voting irregularities in that race, officials removed about 200,000 voters from the state voter rolls.

"As far as we know, 85 percent will be a statewide record," said Reed's spokesman, David Ammons. It would surpass the mark of 84.5 percent in 1944, the highest since tracking of statewide turnout records began in 1936. Reed had predicted turnout of 83 percent.

The state's 39 counties are scheduled to certify election results Nov. 25. As counting draws to a close, it is unlikely that Republican state Lands Commissioner Doug Sutherland can overcome the vote advantage of Democratic rival Peter Goldmark. Goldmark was up by 17,850 votes as of midafternoon Thursday out of more than 2.6 million tabulated.

Sutherland has not conceded, but Goldmark has claimed victory and environmentalists were cheering that victory Thursday.

Ammons said the turnout was aided by vote-by-mail in 37 counties and strong contests for president and governor, as well as several ballot measures.

"Turnout is extremely dependent upon the quality of the races and people were fascinated by the presidential race and were engaged for months by that," Ammons said, adding that the campaigns drew more younger voters. There also were weighty ballot measures, including one making Washington the second state to adopt an aid-in-dying law.

"We see the bounce every four years," Ammons said. "We are hoping that after the memories of this year are over, people stay engaged."