Costliest election in state's history goes to voters
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - Washington state's most expensive election year in history neared its grand finale Tuesday, with voters deciding who to choose in one of the country's most competitive governor's races and whether to legalize marijuana and gay marriage - two initiatives that have been backed by big money and names.
The gubernatorial contest has drawn national attention from both parties, with Republicans seeking to win the leadership post for the first time in 32 years. The race remained too close to call, with one recent poll showing Republican Attorney General Rob McKenna and former Democratic U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee in a tie.
The breadth of contentious issues and races on Washington's ballot has led to a flood of cash totaling some $157 million - about 20 percent more than the 2008 elections. That includes some $40 million spent on the governor's race.
The effort to legalize gay marriage has drawn big money, including a $2.5 million donation from Amazon.com CEO Jeff Bezos and his wife, and six-figure donations from the likes of Bill and Melinda Gates, and from New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. And Bill Gates and fellow Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, who both live in the Seattle area, have combined to contribute some $4.5 million to an effort seeking to develop charter schools in the state.
An initiative to legalize marijuana also has drawn high-profile support, with a $250,000 from travel guru Rick Steves and more than $1.5 million from Progressive Insurance chairman Peter Lewis.
In the governor's race, McKenna was seeking to become the first Republican to win the seat since John Spellman in 1980. He has cast himself as a moderate dedicated to increasing state funding for education.
Inslee has focused his campaign on a jobs plan that includes focusing investments on various industries such as clean energy. Both candidates have vowed to oppose new taxes, even though they will face a budget challenge as soon as they take office in January.
McKenna has positioned himself to compete in the race even though his party's presidential nominee, Mitt Romney, is expected to lose the state to President Barack Obama by a wide margin.
Most of the country will know who won major races Tuesday night, but there's a decent chance Washington residents won't learn who ultimately prevailed in close races like the gubernatorial contest for days. That's because mail-in ballots in the state only have to be sent by Nov. 6. Hundreds of thousands of ballots will remain to be counted after Tuesday.
In the gay marriage referendum, voters will decide whether to uphold a law approved by the Legislature and Gov. Chris Gregoire earlier this year. Washington is one of three states - Maryland and Maine are the others - in which voters are deciding whether to legalize same-sex marriage. In Minnesota, voters will decide whether to add a gay marriage ban to the state constitution.
Washington also is one of three states, along with Oregon and Colorado, in which voters are considering whether to approve marijuana for recreational use. The measure would set up a system of licensed marijuana growers, processors and retail stores - and supporters have been touting the potential tax benefits of placing the industry under state control.
Opponents have varied concerns, including fears from law enforcement and public health officials that the law will lead to increased abuse. Others noted that marijuana is still illegal under federal law, setting up a potential legal battle. Critics also say blood-test limits could affect those who already use marijuana for medical reasons, which is legal under state law.
Washington voters previously rejected the idea of charter schools, but supporters are making another run at the issue this year with substantial financial backing. Supporters say the proposal would open as many as 40 of the independent schools over five years, providing more flexibility in how to teach kids. Opponents say charters have a mixed track record in other states.
This year's election also will determine a range of other matters, including a new state auditor, a new secretary of state and which party will have control of the state Senate. Federal races include the state's U.S. Senate race, in which Sen. Maria Cantwell is widely expected to win re-election.
The most competitive federal race in the state is the 1st District House race between Democrat Suzan DelBene and Republican John Koster. That district, formed during the redistricting process, was designed to be balanced so that both parties could compete regularly for the seat.
The gubernatorial contest has drawn national attention from both parties, with Republicans seeking to win the leadership post for the first time in 32 years. The race remained too close to call, with one recent poll showing Republican Attorney General Rob McKenna and former Democratic U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee in a tie.
The breadth of contentious issues and races on Washington's ballot has led to a flood of cash totaling some $157 million - about 20 percent more than the 2008 elections. That includes some $40 million spent on the governor's race.
The effort to legalize gay marriage has drawn big money, including a $2.5 million donation from Amazon.com CEO Jeff Bezos and his wife, and six-figure donations from the likes of Bill and Melinda Gates, and from New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. And Bill Gates and fellow Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, who both live in the Seattle area, have combined to contribute some $4.5 million to an effort seeking to develop charter schools in the state.
An initiative to legalize marijuana also has drawn high-profile support, with a $250,000 from travel guru Rick Steves and more than $1.5 million from Progressive Insurance chairman Peter Lewis.
In the governor's race, McKenna was seeking to become the first Republican to win the seat since John Spellman in 1980. He has cast himself as a moderate dedicated to increasing state funding for education.
Inslee has focused his campaign on a jobs plan that includes focusing investments on various industries such as clean energy. Both candidates have vowed to oppose new taxes, even though they will face a budget challenge as soon as they take office in January.
McKenna has positioned himself to compete in the race even though his party's presidential nominee, Mitt Romney, is expected to lose the state to President Barack Obama by a wide margin.
Most of the country will know who won major races Tuesday night, but there's a decent chance Washington residents won't learn who ultimately prevailed in close races like the gubernatorial contest for days. That's because mail-in ballots in the state only have to be sent by Nov. 6. Hundreds of thousands of ballots will remain to be counted after Tuesday.
In the gay marriage referendum, voters will decide whether to uphold a law approved by the Legislature and Gov. Chris Gregoire earlier this year. Washington is one of three states - Maryland and Maine are the others - in which voters are deciding whether to legalize same-sex marriage. In Minnesota, voters will decide whether to add a gay marriage ban to the state constitution.
Washington also is one of three states, along with Oregon and Colorado, in which voters are considering whether to approve marijuana for recreational use. The measure would set up a system of licensed marijuana growers, processors and retail stores - and supporters have been touting the potential tax benefits of placing the industry under state control.
Opponents have varied concerns, including fears from law enforcement and public health officials that the law will lead to increased abuse. Others noted that marijuana is still illegal under federal law, setting up a potential legal battle. Critics also say blood-test limits could affect those who already use marijuana for medical reasons, which is legal under state law.
Washington voters previously rejected the idea of charter schools, but supporters are making another run at the issue this year with substantial financial backing. Supporters say the proposal would open as many as 40 of the independent schools over five years, providing more flexibility in how to teach kids. Opponents say charters have a mixed track record in other states.
This year's election also will determine a range of other matters, including a new state auditor, a new secretary of state and which party will have control of the state Senate. Federal races include the state's U.S. Senate race, in which Sen. Maria Cantwell is widely expected to win re-election.
The most competitive federal race in the state is the 1st District House race between Democrat Suzan DelBene and Republican John Koster. That district, formed during the redistricting process, was designed to be balanced so that both parties could compete regularly for the seat.
Anyone want to bet on the number of recounts the Dems will want to do before they hit their quota to win?
 @ObsidianOne We already know that: third time's the charm ;)
I wouldn't mind running for office at all except that there's several people in Olympia and Washington I'd happily punch in the face.
 @WAbornnraised You just won my vote; I don't give a flying eff to which party you belong. The vast majority need punched in the face regardless which letter follows their name.
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Which brings up, why, when we're essentially hiring the folks who are going to spend our tax dollars for the next few years, would people want to vote for the one who spends the most money telling us they're qualified for the job?
 @MargeGunderson I wonder about the intelligence of ANYONE who runs for office.
We need a new government in Olympia, Rob McKenna looks fit for the job.
 @Dozen 123 We need new government in Olympia; nobody looks fit for the job.Â
 @Dozen 123 If you think that there will be any substantial change occur from having Mr. McKenna sleeping in the Governor's mansion then I have some prime swampland and a couple of bridges you may be interested in buying.
 @Furd  @Dozen 123 Ha! I already own lots of prime swamp land AND just purchased the Brooklyn Bridge with my life savings!
NOW who's the fool? :^D
 @Dozen 123 We need a new government in Olympia, Jay Inslee looks fit for the job.</troll>
To bad its all about winning, when it should be all about the people.
 @Me_echelle A politician can't do anything for (or against) the people unless they first get elected. So yes, it IS all about winning.
 @Furd  @Me_echelle Yes, excellent point, but I also see her point â it seems to be more about power, and they tend to forget whom they serve. All parties have too much of that, not just one or another.Â
if it was so damned costly why did it need additional postage to send it in? S-T-U-P-I-D...
 @Erxkeel I think the headline is misleading. It's not that this election is costing the state more to process than previous elections (that might be true, but that's not what the article is talking about). It's that all of the various political groups involved in campaigns during this election cycle have spent far more for their campaigns than in any previous election. For the most part, that's all private money that isn't connected to the actual ballot-processing system.
 @KieferSkunk  @Erxkeel Totally agree. Very misleading headline. KOMO strikes again.
 @Gimmer  @KieferSkunk  @Erxkeel KOMO strikes out again.
Fixed your minor typo. :^D Â
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I will never understand why people vote for the politician who spent the most money telling us how wisely (s)he will spend our tax dollars.Â
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130% turnout in King County today!
 @Grumpa
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!30% may be a mite low, we'll have to see how many boxes of ballots get found in the recount. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
 @komoispropaganda  @Grumpa Yup. That vote early vote often mantra of one party will come out somewhere.
 @Grumpa is the 130% mark with or without illegals, dead folk, double mailed ballots, & pets?
I did forget about pets!
So I've read that some estimate the cost of this year's election to exceed $6 Billion dollars. (and that is just for the White House and Congress) When will "we the people" be voting on the bill the stop excessive spending on political elections?
 @aintno1special I'd like to vote on term limits for congress and to eliminate their pension plan.
 @Gino  @aintno1special How about linking it to the average worker's plan? We should do it for their medical as well.
 @aintno1special When we elect Congressmen who will repeal Citizen's United.
 @Darn it!  @aintno1special If you want to level the playing field then level it. Don't pick just one of the issues. Citizens United only represents organizations and corporations. If we want it to be fair then all special interests need to be curtailed.
 @aintno1special Yeah... $6 Billion could go a long way toward fixing the budget/deficit.
 @Sovereign  @aintno1specialÂ
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$6 Billion will pay for about 12 hours of US Government operations.
 @Jerome O'Neil  @Sovereign  @aintno1special It will pay for all of the studies and consultants, but we'll need more to actually implement the chosen plans.
 @Sovereign Not only that, but how can we truly "fix" our political system (short of a revolution) when only the rich can afford to run?
"Hundreds of thousands of ballots will remain to be counted after Tuesday."
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Don't forget several thousand more have yet to mysterious appear/disappear depending on who wins the first count! It's the King County way!
 @Gimmer [citation needed]
 @KieferSkunk  @Gimmer The links that prove Gimmer's point would create such a long post it would crash KOMO's servers.Â
 @KieferSkunk No. You are capable of looking it up yourself.. I'm sorry if you didn't live here through that election cycle (then again, perhaps that was a small mercy), but there's plenty of information out there on this. Start with the usual suspects (Google, Wikipedia, etc). That election was a mess and handled poorly.
 @Gimmer To your point about "stuff" being "messed up", I can't argue with that. And given the kinds of mistakes made in 2004 (which you were kind enough to direct me to, thanks), I certainly understand why your faith in the system is shaken. I wouldn't be happy either if I found that my ballot had been wrongfully rejected.
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I just want to explain why I called BS: I think there's a difference between saying "This system is prone to mistakes and I don't trust it", and the statement you actually made basically claiming that there's rampant fraud in that system. The latter one strikes me as outlandish, which is why I wanted to see something backing it up.
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As for flaws in the system: The whole purpose of a recount is to determine if mistakes were made, so I'm honestly glad that those mistakes were discovered in the 2004 recounts. It actually makes me trust the system more now - we're all aware of the mistakes that were made, so it would not be in anyone's interest at the elections department to repeat them.
 @Gimmer Alright, thank you for clarifying. According to that article, mistakes were made and corrected, and there was a notable attempt by Republicans to prevent those mistakes from being corrected.
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So yes, there were mistakes. But I don't see how that backs up your original claim that the mistakes were corrected in a convenient effort to change the outcome of the election - the motivation you suggested was "Oh, the Democrats are losing, let's go count some extra ballots so we can win!" The motivation reflected in the article is "Whoops, there was an administrative error that needs to be corrected." I doubt that the issue would have been any different had it been a Republican who'd found his own ballot in the list of rejected ballots.
 @KieferSkunk Ok, fine, this is silly on my part. I don't want to rehash the thing here, but this is as good of a starting point as any:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_gubernatorial_election,_2004
 @KieferSkunk Wrong election cycle; keep searching... it'll be a fun little election eve adventure for you.
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My apologies for the snark -- just really don't want to readdress that debacle right now. Â It was kind of my first wake-up call that 'stuff' is really messed up in the handling of elections at the local level.
 @Gimmer And just FYI, I did in fact do a Google search for "2008 King County election problem", and all I found were articles comparing this year's election to 2008 (voter turnout), articles mentioning that the 2008 results were certified, and a handful of highly partisan opinions about "what's wrong with this election system," which pretty much boil down to people complaining that they didn't get the results they wanted.
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Again, I say [citation needed].
 @Gimmer Oooo, snarky much?
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If you're going to make a wild claim, the burden is on you to back it up with facts, not me.
Tight governors race eh? Bring on the recounts and mystery ballots and on and on and on... I was hoping this would all be done with tonight. This is getting so old.
Get it over with already... I want to know who is going to be driving the bus by lights out tonight!
 @Freespeech So you want to know if we're going to crash into the ditch on the left side of the road, or the ditch on the right side of the road for the next four years? :^D Â
I hope you let that adorable cat have his/her proper vote and didn't take advantage of the lack of opposable thumbs, filling out the ballot in your favor.Â
 @Freespeech I know what you mean. But unless you are a PURPLE = independent of red or blue, we can only HOPE that the bluebirds of WA can actually think for themselves, and NOT vote for the same-old, same-old politicians that have brought this state to the dreary state of affairs it is in today.
 @Yadayada  @Freespeech A thousand LIKES for advocating independent thinking and breaking down red AND blue party lines!!Â