EMS vote: first count

With 1,677 votes counted, the property tax increase for EMS was being approved by 51.28% of the voters. According to the County’s election web site, there were 860 votes for “Approved,” over 817  “Rejected” votes.

“It’s awfully close, “ said Mayor Garland French, minutes after the first count. “I think I’m going to have to reserve much comment until Friday,” when the next ballot count is announced.

As of 7 p.m., there were 146 votes collected today at the Convention Center which were not part of this count. The ballots were collected until 8 p.m., then driven to Montesano. The first ballot count was released shortly after 8 p.m.

There were 3,182 ballots mailed to Ocean Shores voters, earlier this month.

Late addition:

“Like Mayor French, we are waiting for Friday’s results,” said Randy Peck, of the groups Lower Ocean Shores Taxes, which opposes the tax increase.