Ballots from just over 22 percent of Clark County voters have been counted thus far; and estimated 36,000 remain to be counted
Ken Vance, editor
Clark County Today
As expected, early returns released from the Clark County Elections Department from the Nov. 4 general election showed a low turnout of voters in Clark County. The low turnout was likely a factor in many races still being undecided.
Only 22.06 percent (78,527) of the 356,025 voters in Clark County have had their ballots counted thus far. The Elections Department will continue to count ballots throughout the week and additional results will be provided on a daily basis.
Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey told Clark County Today late Tuesday night there are about 36,000 more ballots to be counted. The election results will be certified on Nov. 25.
The Nov. 4 general election featured 35 candidates vying to be elected to fill the 15 positions on the County Charter Review Commission. The majority of those races have clear leaders but one is definitely too close to call after Tuesday’s initial results were released at just after 8 p.m.
In the race for District 5, Position 1, John Zingale (8,748 votes, 50.37 percent) has a slim lead over Brad Benton (8,620 votes, 49.63 percent).
Another race that appears too close to call at this point is the battle for Position 6 on the Battle Ground City Council. Cherish DesRochers (50.86 percent, 1,570 votes) leads Brian Munson 49.14 percent, 1,517 votes) by just 53 votes.
In the city of Camas race for Ward 3, Position 2, challenger Mahsa Eshghi (54.83 percent, 3,104 votes) has a sizable lead over current council member Leslie Lewallen (45.17 percent, 2,557 votes).
In the city of Vancouver, Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle has defeated challenger Justin Forsman by a wide margin, 70.34 percent (18,445 votes) to 29.66 percent (7,779 votes).
Incumbents were also winning the three races for Vancouver City Council positions with similar ease. In the race for Position 1, Kim Harless (59.95 percent, 15,540 votes) had a nearly 20 percent lead over Pooneh Gray (40.05 percent, 10,382 votes). In the Position 2 race, Erik Paulsen (84.74 percent, 21,276 votes) had an even larger lead over Derek O Thompson (15.26 percent, 3,831 votes). In the Position No. 3 race, Diana Perez (75.47 percent, 19,132 votes) easily outdistanced Robert Elkin (24.53 percent, 6,220 votes).
City of Vancouver
Voters in the city of Vancouver were asked to consider two propositions on the Nov. 4 ballot. One appears to be passing while the other is failing.
The Vancouver City Council adopted Resolution M-4346 concerning a levy lid lift to fund police and public safety. If approved, this proposition would fund police and public safety services, including additional police officers, equipment, and criminal justice system costs by increasing Vancouver’s regular property tax levy by approximately $0.15/$1,000 assessed valuation (AV), for a maximum regular property tax levy rate not to exceed $2.47/$1,000 AV for collection in 2026.
In the initial results, 57.23 percent (15,226 votes) were in favor of Proposition 5 and 42.77 percent (11,378 votes) were opposed.
Proposed Charter Amendment 13 concerns the creation of voting districts and City Council member elections. If approved, this amendment would require City Council to appoint a districting commission to divide the city into four geographic voting districts of roughly equal population and would require that four City Council members be elected from the district in which they reside and that two City Council members and the mayor be elected at large in a citywide election.
Proposed Charter Amendment 13 was failing with just 43.15 percent (11,235 votes) in favor and 56.85 percent (14,800 votes) opposed.
Camas-Washougal Regional Fire Authority
Voters in Camas and Washougal were asked to approve a proposed Regional Fire Protection Service Authority. Proposition 2 is narrowly passing with 50.29 percent (4,415 votes) in favor compared to 49.71 percent (4,364 votes).
For a complete rundown of the initial results of the Nov. 4 general election, visit Clark County Elections.
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