Absentee Votes Turn Tide Against Ballpark Measure

Nearly 36,000 absentee ballots, counted Thursday to clarify the results of a King County proposal to build a $325 million Mariners baseball stadium, only tightened the race.

With all precincts reporting, and the addition of 35,378 absentee ballots and 537 poll votes counted late, the stadium proposal led by just 310 votes - 235,591 to 235,281.

About 15,000 absentee ballots remained to be counted. Final results will be posted Monday, said John Charles, county manager of records and elections.

Before the additional 35,915 votes were tallied, the measure led by about 4,000 votes.

“It’s not very encouraging for either side,” said County Executive Gary Locke. “It’s been frustrating and filled with anxiety … “

The proposal calls for increasing the county sales tax from 8.2 percent to 8.3 percent to provide $240.8 million in public funds for a $325 million retractable-roof stadium.