— by Margie Doyle —

As of 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 4, the Election results indicated that Wes Heinmiller had won the Orcas Fire District race, by a vote count of 875 to challenger Julie Remington’s 682 votes.

In the Orcas Park and Rec race, Deborah Jones was elected to the commissioner position by a vote of 937 to challenger Theresa Haynie’s 441 votes.

In other election news, Initiative 1366 concerning state taxes and fees  was rejected by county voters with 3, 526 voting against the measure, and 2,440 in favor of it; but statewide, the vote was reversed, with 568,375 voting for the measure against 501,551 who voted to reject the measure

Initiative 1401 concerning trafficking of animal species threatened with extinction was approved with 4,564 votes against 1,481 opposing the measure; the results were mirrored statewide with 759,298 voters approving the law and 316,463 voting against it.

Of the 12,177 registered county voters, 6,308 ballots or 51.8% were cast.

The next ballot count will be on Nov. 10 at 5 p.m.

For other county and state results, go to https://results.vote.wa.gov/results/current/sanjuan/