Proposition Recount Sought

Tue., Nov. 24, 1998

By Kathy Mulady kathymu@spokesman.com

Opponents of the city’s Proposition 3, which passed by just one vote in the Nov. 3 election, have asked for a recount.

The group, which didn’t provide a name for itself when filing the request, asked that the recount be done by hand.

County Elections Supervisor Tom Wilbur said the nine citizens signing the request deposited a $3,000 check from Metropolitan Mortgage to pay for the recount.

If the result changes after the second count, the money will be refunded.

Wilbur said the county will start counting Monday, and expects to be done by the end of next week.

David Bray, spokesman for the group requesting the recount, said Proposition 3 places a greater burden on initiative supporters and gives too much control to the city’s legal department to determine the viability of an issue.

According to the first tally, there were 23,943 votes in favor of Proposition 3 and 23,942 against. In addition, 11,509 people didn’t vote at all on that particular issue, and 91 voters marked “yes” and “no.”

The measure revises the initiative process in the city charter.

Citizen petitions with signatures totaling between 5 percent and 15 percent of the voters in the last general election would go to the ballot as advisory votes only. Previously, 5 percent was enough to force a binding election, but now 15 percent is required.

If an advisory vote passed, the City Council would hold another hearing and decide whether to adopt the ordinance.

Bray is also the chairman of Fair Representation Now, which recently filed petitions with signatures for an initiative that calls for election of City Council members by district.

Because the signatures total less than 15 percent, the initiative could be the first affected by Proposition 3.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.