— by Margie Doyle —
As of 8 p.m. on Feb. 14 Election Day, both the School District’s $8M bond measure and the Orcas Fire District’s increase in commissioners measure were favored by Orcas voters.
However, the Orcas School District bond requires 60 percent approval; as of last night’s tally, it had received 59.01 percent approal. Ballots collected from the Orcas drop box and still-to-be-delivered from the U.S. Postal Service have yet to be counted.
The next update is at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 15
As of last night at 8 p.m. 1,620 ballots had been counted; 200 estimated ballots left to count
Orcas Island School Dist #137 Proposition No. 1 Bonds to Construct, Renovate and Improve School Facilities — $8,000,000 received 953 votes or 59.01 percent in favor
The measure was rejected by 662 votes or 40.99 percent of the ballots cast.
SJC Fire Protection District #2 (Orcas Island) Proposition No. 1 Increase in the Number of Commissioners was approved by 1,071 votes, or 69.73 percent of the ballots cast.
Voter Turnout was 38.02 percent.
Are you kidding me !!! Only 38% of the citizens receiving ballots bothered to express a voting preference. IT WAS A MAIL BALLOT. It wasn’t necessary to do anything except return the ballot.
The most precious right given to each of us in The Constitution is the right to vote !! Millions upon millions of people around the world would make virtually any sacrifice to have that right.
A 38% participation in a community which I have always believed to be educated, enlightened and involved is absolutely DISGRACEFUL.
Latest County count on school bond issue is 59.36% approved with 50 votes yet to count and 49.50% of voter turnout. Still pretty pathetic. If 17 of 50 uncounted votes vote approval, the issue will pass 1266 to 843.