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Planning begins for growing and selling pot
The state Liquor Control Board, responsible for regulating the production and sale of marijuana in Washington under Initiative 502, is preparing to move ahead with implementation plans.
Montana returns Tester to U.S. Senate
U.S. Sen. Jon Tester prevailed Wednesday in a tight re-election battle, beating back nearly two years of attacks for his support of some Obama administration policies to hand Republican U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg his first election loss since 1996.
Washington voters legalize recreational pot use
SEATTLE — Washington voters legalized recreational pot use on Tuesday, but people shouldn’t expect to see marijuana legitimately for sale anytime soon.
Pot use OK’d; same-sex marriage, charter schools leading
Same-sex couples may be able to marry in Washington as early as next month, as the state’s voters seemed to be narrowly approving a law that was passed then suspended earlier this year. More certain for December, adults who use marijuana won’t need to fear arrest from state or local law enforcement officials, at least. By a larger margin, voters were approving a ballot measure that legalizes recreational marijuana use for adults, although it keeps it illegal for those under 21. The drug will still be illegal for everyone under federal law, however, and the state is headed for a new chapter in its 12-year-fight with the other Washington over who knows best about marijuana.
Inslee out front as count goes on
Democrat Jay Inslee and Republican Rob McKenna will continue their battle for the job of Washington’s chief executive for at least another day. Ballots tallied Tuesday night gave Inslee a lead of about 50,000 votes out of 1.8 million counted, leaving the race too close to call. With as many as half of the ballots still to be counted, Inslee has 51.3 percent of the votes to McKenna’s 48.7 percent. McKenna leads throughout Eastern Washington, including Spokane, where he has nearly 19,000 more votes than Inslee. But Inslee is leading in King County and most other counties that touch Puget Sound. Both were confident of eventual victory.
Incumbents prevail
The Inland Northwest’s congressional delegation remained intact Tuesday, with incumbents coasting to victories in early returns. On the Washington side, voters gave new terms to Democratic U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell and Republican U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, of Spokane.
Democrats holding edge in Legislature
Democrats appear likely to hold on to both chambers of the Washington Legislature. Republicans had pushed to recapture the state Senate, where the Democrats currently have five more seats than Republicans. Control of the House has not been as much in dispute because Democrats have a wider margin, with 14 more seats than the GOP, and the party appeared to easily maintain a wide majority there.
Republicans Mielke, O’Quinn lead commission races
Republicans are poised to retain control of the Spokane County Board of Commissioners as two races on Tuesday’s ballot were leaning toward the GOP candidates in initial returns. Republican Commissioner Todd Mielke was leading Democrat John Roskelley for the District 1 seat.
Vestal: Vote-by-mail doesn’t offer sense of community
For decades, Colleen Schauble showed up every Election Day at Longfellow Elementary School very early in the morning and left late at night. She’d welcome and direct voters, check registrations, help them cast their ballots. Longfellow was the polling place for four precincts – including Schauble’s, which was for years identified not by number but by name: Edith.
McMorris Rodgers, Cantwell coast to easy victories
The Inland Northwest’s congressional delegation remained intact Tuesday, with incumbents coasting to victories in early returns.
Todd Mielke, Shelly O’Quinn leading for Spokane County commission
Republicans are poised to retain control of the Spokane County Board of Commissioners as two races on Tuesday’s ballot were leaning toward the GOP candidates in initial returns.
WASHINGTON RACES: Latest developments
A roundup of breaking news and other developments in the Washington general election.
AP exit polls: Liberals, women help Obama win Wash.
SEATTLE (AP) — A look at preliminary results from exit polling in Washington state conducted by Edison Media Research for The Associated Press and television networks: