For updated Clark County results:
http://www.co.clark.wa.us/elections.
It’s official: Success of Battle Ground’s groundbreaking school levy measure was sealed on Wednesday, after another 11,000 Clark County votes were counted.
Tim Likness, elections supervisor, said he expects only 500 more ballots will be tabulated before the election is certified on Feb. 24. They are among roughly 1,300 “problematic” ballots with missing or mismatched signatures or other issues, he said.
Given the Battle Ground measure holds a 1,000-vote lead, its passage is now assured.
“Effectively, every issue is done,” Likness said.
That includes the only failed local school measure: La Center’s request for $250,000 for each of three years to provide new classroom technology, which won just 46.5 percent support.
La Center’s three-year maintenance and operations levy did earn approval, at 54.5 percent through Wednesday. Superintendent Mark Mansell said the school board will consider how to address the tech levy defeat.
Six more districts could savor M&O levy approval — more so with the ballot update.
Vancouver led the way with 68.8 percent support, followed by Ridgefield at 68.0 percent and Evergreen at 63.1 percent.
Camas weighed in at 60.8 percent; Washougal at 57.9 percent (including nearly 600 Skamania County ballots). Washougal’s supplemental tech levy earned 60.6 percent approval.
Woodland’s levy support stood at 58.6 percent, with the Cowlitz County count completed.
Record turnout
Votes counted Wednesday pushed turnout in Battle Ground to 49.2 percent of registered voters. That’s second only to 50.7 percent turnout in Ridgefield, across Clark County.
The 16,877 votes counted in Battle Ground set a modern-day high for school measures.
Battle Ground’s three-year, $64.6 million M&O levy should go a long way toward shoring up district finances. Yet, likely state spending cuts and the end of federal stimulus dollars will force ongoing belt-tightening, officials say.
Late Tuesday, Superintendent Shonny Bria announced plans to create a “fiscal advisory committee” that includes representatives from private business and nonprofit groups. The panel would meet regularly with district administrators to identify cost efficiencies, she said.
Overall, Clark County voter turnout for the eight measures stands at 43.6 percent, with 90,949 votes counted.
Likness said he expects only about 50 more votes will be tabulated today.
Howard Buck: 360-735-4515 or howard.buck@columbian.com.
