ELECTION RESULTS, DAY 3: New numbers in Seattle City Council District 1

checkbox.jpgJust in, the third King County Elections report on the August primary. For the first several days, each new count adds thousands of ballots, so we’re continuing to watch the City Council District 1 race. Here’s the new tally:

Lisa Herbold – 11,326 – 49.47%
Phil Tavel – 7,556 – 33.00%
Brendan Kolding – 3,915 – 17.10%

D-1 turnout – 35.03% so far (the district’s total turnout in August 2015 was 29.3%)

Herbold’s percentage is up from 47.95% on Election Night; Tavel’s is down from 33.83%. Today’s count added 4,317 more ballots. The county says it’s received 27,471 ballots from D-1 so far, so it has at least 3,617 (and more possibly still trickling in via postal mail) left to count. Next update: Friday afternoon.

29 Replies to "ELECTION RESULTS, DAY 3: New numbers in Seattle City Council District 1"

  • chemist August 8, 2019 (4:36 pm)

    Can anyone clarify what happened in the final days of the primary that both Herbold and Tavel were released from the democracy voucher limits for the primary?  I thought things were plodding along fine with the program and all the major competitors in D1 were abiding by vouchers, but then I got Herbold’s email about contribution limits being released (from $250 to 500) because of another campaign.  Now I’m seeing emails stating that until the primary election is certified they can still collect up to $500 from a contributor.  I’m very confused about how this voucher thing is working out (as well as all the threading-the-needle that gets done by campaigns re: the rules).

    • AMD August 8, 2019 (7:09 pm)

      There are some answers about that on the Democracy Voucher page:  https://www.seattle.gov/democracyvoucher/i-am-a-seattle-resident/2019-participating-candidates

      • chemist August 8, 2019 (10:05 pm)

        That doesn’t really have much specifically about what happened here, as best I can tell.  Most candidates ended up being released from the voucher limits in the primary.  Once campaign’s email had said “One of my opponents has exceeded spending limits, and as a result, your
        individual campaign contribution limit has increased as well.  But this
        window of opportunity is only open until tomorrow at midnight.  After that, your limit drops back to $250″ on the 5th and then on the 7th sent out an email “P.S. Until this election is certified, you can still give up to $500, including democracy vouchers, to support this people-powered campaign!  Once the election is called, your limit drops back down to $250.”  If I see both Tavel and Herbold being “released from limits” then it suggests that Kolding’s ~$74k in contributions somehow triggered exceeding the $75k primary limit.

    • Peter August 9, 2019 (8:22 am)

      Herbold is the only one who went over the $75L expenditure limit, the “other candidate” she’s referring to is herself. That said, yes, once the limit is exceeded by anyone, they’re all free to spends as much as they want, but the one who first exceeds the limit is ineligible for vouchers. Herbold’s fundraising plea is to replace the vouchers she is no longer eligible for. And no, PAC spending is not a factor in vouchers. http://web6.seattle.gov/ethics/elections/campaigns.aspx?cycle=2019&type=contest&IDNum=173&leftmenu=collapsed

      • Alex August 9, 2019 (10:01 am)

        That’s simply false, Peter. Just click on Tavel’s name on your link and you can see that he crossed $77k, this is why the cap was lifted. 

        • CAM August 9, 2019 (5:09 pm)

          Peter’s post was accurate at the time I looked earlier today. The website appears to have updated numbers now. Prior to these new numbers Lisa was the only person over $75k. She is now over $87k according to the new numbers. 

      • CAM August 9, 2019 (11:38 am)

        Thanks Peter. I did some googling last night trying to find that but never got there. If only PAC money was included on the same page to give a real picture. 

  • jack August 8, 2019 (6:29 pm)

    Looks like a tight race.  I don’t think Herbold will pickup Kolding’s votes.  

    • James Frank Walker August 8, 2019 (7:48 pm)

      Looking like she will only need about five of them so don’t be too surprised if she prevails in the general election. 

  • Pete August 8, 2019 (7:18 pm)

    It has to do with the PAC spending I believe. 

  • Plf August 8, 2019 (8:06 pm)

    Wow what a disappointment on the turn outregardless of your political view I don’t understand why folks don’t vote its not tough you mail it in and don’t even have to pay for posting the ballot so going forward if you didn’t bother tovote your complaining about anything in relation to governing didn’t hold much credibility come on folks get off ur tuff and at least vote 

  • Onion August 8, 2019 (9:15 pm)

    Your point is well taken, PDF. Why live in a democracy if you don’t vote? Might as well live in a dictatorship where all decisions are made for you.

    • wscommuter August 8, 2019 (9:59 pm)

      Well said.  Shame on anyone who doesn’t vote.  This election matters – the City is at a crossroads about which way we’re going.  I hope folks who sat out the primary will realize that showing up to vote in the general election is, actually a pretty big deal and that each vote does  matter.  

    • Gerscheitz_in_boom August 9, 2019 (12:54 am)

      We don’t live in a democracy. It’s a representative republic. 

      • Plf August 9, 2019 (3:20 am)

        Your missing the point.  But I think you know that,  if you take the time to register, choose to take the time to vote.  Corny but it is right/obligation that has been hard fought on so many fronts.  If you don’t vote and you have the opportunity to do so you  should not complain,  and if you do bitch in my eyes you have little credibility,  regardless of your political stance. ,  it’s much easier to define a problem then  to look for solutions.  One of the opportunities or solutions afforded us is to vote

  • Bradley August 9, 2019 (1:03 am)

    I hope the turnout for Tavel is MASSIVE in November. Lisa needs to go.

  • NA August 9, 2019 (6:59 am)

    The statistics show that there are 68,101 registered voters in District 1.  Of that number 27,840 are deciding who will represent us on the City Council.   If I am reading these numbers correctly, this is a shameful turnout and a small number are deciding how and by who this city should be run for the rest of us.  I did note that there are maybe 4K ballots still to be counted.   While I dislike the word shame, it is the key word, especially since those on the City Council are Not doing an admirable job.

    • chemist August 9, 2019 (9:35 am)

      D1 turnout in 2015 was 29% in the primary and 45% in the general.  The way things are going, this year might have a 51%+ majority turnout in the general. 

  • Neil August 9, 2019 (9:59 am)

       Less & less a fan of the district elections and did not see the change I wanted.  However,  there is something nice about a candidate getting to the general election by convincing 5,000 people to vote for them.

    • Melissa August 9, 2019 (6:18 pm)

      I’m confused, Neil. Are you saying you aren’t a fan of district elections because others don’t vote as you wanted them to?

  • Lola August 9, 2019 (10:38 am)

    I see 50 % for Tavel since only two can advance.  Gooooo Tavel.  If we want to see change vote for Tavel if you want to see the same $#!T% then vote for Lisa. 

    • Nolan August 9, 2019 (12:04 pm)

      Change isn’t synonymous with good. Goodspaceguy would be a change from McDermott, were you also cheering for him?

    • AMD August 9, 2019 (1:03 pm)

      So if Jort was running for City Council, he’d be your pick?  Cause he’s not the incumbent and you want change?  Fortunately, most people will vote for the best candidate.  “Best candidate” doesn’t mean “great candidate”,  but it’s a lot closer than assuming “new candidate” means “great candidate.”

      • TreeHouse August 9, 2019 (1:37 pm)

        I’d vote for Jort! I’m sure he fix our 1st Ave bus delay problem rather quickly!

      • Vote Jort for D1 August 9, 2019 (4:26 pm)

        As your benevolent dictator, I will take your car away, crunch it into a tiny cube, and force you to ride a bike to work, and you will deal with it. WITH ALL YOUR GROCERIESSSS TOOO!!!!!! 

  • Nolan August 9, 2019 (12:02 pm)

    It’s simultaneously a relief, and incredibly shameful, that 17% voted for someone whose solution to every problem he’s ever seen is “throw more police at it”.

  • Route 128 August 9, 2019 (11:19 pm)

    If you want representation at the table in our local community, then someone like Tavel, who turns his back on levies for schools, libraries, and parks, but begs for placement in storefront business windows, then you will end up with an empty represented seat at the City Council table. Lisa fights hard, with all of us in D1 represented at the city table. West Seattle is not business first, then the rest. We are residents, schools, places of faith, businesses, libraries, parks, and places for various types of artists, all with a place at the D1 table. Herbold is much more true and experienced in representing ALL our voices.  Tavel’s voice is best at Talarico’s trivia night. /mic/ + /drop/

  • anonyme August 10, 2019 (3:34 pm)

    I’m part of the 17% who absolutely think it’s time to throw police at certain problems.  Was hoping for some balance on the council, and both Herbold and Tavel seem mired down in Durkan’s homeless scam.   Nothing will change.

  • Jan August 10, 2019 (7:35 pm)

    People don’t vote because the courts simply overturn their election results. $35.00 tabs, I405 toll lanes, stadiums, etc, etc. If they don’t like the results, they just keep at it until the people vote the way the government wants them to. The courts want to try to tell us that…”must maintain 45MPH and must be profitable” means one or the other. This is why people don’t vote. We should just stop voting all together and let the judges pick who will represent us.

Sorry, comment time is over.