New vote tally on WGB bond vote: Measure defeated
May 19, 2011 · 3:58 PM
COUPEVILLE — Whidbey Island voters have rejected a $50 million expansion proposal to expand Whidbey General Hospital, according to a second tally of votes on Thursday afternoon.
The measure was falling to defeat on Election Night after the first tally was announced, and today's count shows the measure well short of the 60-percent supermajority needed for passage.
Island County elections officials reported the bond measure falling to defeat with a 55.4 percent "yes" vote, with 9,634 votes for the proposal, and 7,736 votes against.
Voter turnout for the May 17 Special Election was estimated at 44 percent.
The new numbers did not change the percentage of approval much.
On Election Night, the measure had gained a 55.5 percent "yes" vote.
County election workers today counted another 1,170 ballots.
There are no other ballots left to count, according to the county.
"That is everything we have in the house," said Deputy Auditor Michele Reagan.
There are 60 ballots that may be counted, she added, if issues with the signatures on the ballots can be resolved.
Letters have been sent to those voters to give them a chance to clear up the problems with signatures, Reagan said.
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