Election Center
Mayor Condon invites Nadine Woodward to settle in at City Hall; two council members object
Two council members are concerned with the lengths Mayor David Condon has gone to make the transition to a new mayor as seamless as possible, raising objections to his clearing of office space in City Hall for the mayor-elect and questioning what access she will be given to city resources.
Agencies, lawmakers scramble to fill $4 billion pothole from I-976
State agencies and lawmakers are looking for solutions to the loss of billions of dollars that would have come from Initiative 976.
Spin Control: Tax votes aren’t an automatic no, this election showed
An article of faith among certain political “experts” says voters, given the chance, will always vote against taxes. But voters don’t automatically do so.
Nadine Woodward campaigned on change, but her victory was about cementing status quo
After declaring victory on election night, mayor-elect Nadine Woodward pledged to “represent the change that voters wanted.” But her success could just as easily be said to illustrate the change that voters didn’t want.
Elections results indicate Spokane Valley government may be shifting to center
If Brandi Peetz holds on to what was just a 350-vote lead as of Friday, the majority on council will flip, and the new more moderate majority of council members will chose a new mayor when they take office in January.
Shane Brickner defeats Steve Peterson to become Liberty Lake’s third mayor
Peterson has served as mayor for all but four years of the city’s existence. Brickner, 44, will take office in January and said his goal is to craft more comprehensive growth plans for the burgeoning city and increase collaboration between his office and city lawmakers.
Spokane council president race now even tighter, recount possible; disputed council races still close
The already tight race for Spokane City Council president narrowed even further on Friday and could be heading toward an automatic recount. The race between Councilwoman Karen Stratton and challenger Andy Rathbun to represent District 3 on the Spokane City Council also remained close.
Races for Spokane council, council president narrow
The gap between candidates for Spokane City Council president was cut by more than half after additional ballots were counted on Thursday, indicating the race will go down to the wire.
Peetz pulls ahead in close Spokane Valley council race; other Valley races largely unchanged
Brandi Peetz took the lead in the close Spokane Valley race Wednesday, going from four votes behind her opponent, to more than 200 ahead.
Tight Spokane races stay that way after more votes are counted, remain too close to call
County elections officials offered an updated tally of the votes on Wednesday that was good news for those held a lead after the initial results rolled in on Tuesday.
Updated results: Lockwood wins Spokane school board seat, West Valley levy passes
Updated results Wednesday confirmed what most people already suspected on Election Night: Nikki Lockwood has been elected to the Spokane Public Schools board and the West Valley School District budget is getting a shot in the arm.
Woodward plans for transition to mayor’s office; Condon pledges support
Though election results are not yet final, Nadine Woodward is forging ahead with transition plans after her opponent, City Council President Ben Stuckart, conceded on Tuesday night.
Shawn Vestal: Tim Benn’s candidacy ran counter to deluge of special-interest spending
If you are of the view that our politics is too controlled by big money, and that democracy is disfigured by the influence of the money-is-speech brigade, you weren’t disabused of that notion this year. Benn’s candidacy ran counter to all of that.
Voters narrowly rejecting affirmative action change
Voters narrowly rejecting affirmative action programs but final decision up to later ballot counts.
Pullman hospital bond in jeopardy due to low turnout
Low voter turnout in Pullman may put the $29 million bond for Pullman Regional Hospital to expand its facilities and services on hold.
Spokane voters support ban on city income tax, open collective bargaining
Spokane voters were asked to weigh in on two propositions in this election, one that would ban a city income tax and another that would require collective bargaining sessions to be conducted in public view.
Incumbents, Christie Wood win seats on Coeur d’Alene City Council
Early results from the Coeur d’Alene City Council elections show incumbents far ahead.
Challenger Shane Brickner leading incumbent Liberty Lake Mayor Steve Peterson
City Councilman Shane Brickner held a 207-vote lead on Steve Peterson, who’s held the office of Liberty Lake mayor for all but four years of the city’s existence, after votes were tallied Tuesday.
Mead voters reject school levy; West Valley school levy passing
A $14.6 million supplemental levy in the Mead School District was resoundingly rejected Tuesday night by district voters.
Amendment giving special powers to Legislature in case of catastrophe approved
If “The Big One” hits, the Legislature likely will have special emergency powers to respond.