Thursday's ballot count brought some good news to Republican Attorney General Rob McKenna, who trails Democrat and former Rep. Jay Inslee in the Washington governor's race.
McKenna, with 48.87 percent of the vote to Inslee's 51.13percent, picked up 0.2 percent in King County on Thursday, according to ballot figures released by the county.
This, said McKenna's campaign manager Charles McCray III, validates the campaign's own data, which showed late voters favored McKenna.
"We expect the gap will continue to close," McCray III said. He added that he does not expect a final result for days given the number of votes still to be counted. State estimates put that number at potentially more than 700,000 uncounted ballots.
The marijuana legalization measure, I-502, held steady with a likely insurmountable 10-point lead at 55.44 in favor to 45.46 against. The Washington State Liquor Board already has announced plans to help implement the new law.
The effort to legalize gay marriage, R-74, also remained steady at 52.4 percent in favor to 47.6 against. The consistency of the gap prompted the measure's opponents to concede the race. King County announced plans to extend business hours and begin to issue same-sex marriage licenses Dec. 6.
The charter schools measure, I-1240, remained too close to call with 51 percent in favor and 49 percent against.
Look here for more updates late Thursday and Friday.
