An updated ballot count released Wednesday night now shows Rochester School District’s capital levy proposal passing by 61 votes.
The measure was narrowly failing on election night, but an additional 870 ballots tallied by the Thurston County Auditor’s Office on Wednesday, April 29, propelled the measure towards approval.
The measure needs 50% plus one vote to pass.
As of the latest count, the measure was passing with 1,546 votes, or 51.02%, in favor and $1,484, or 48.98%, opposed.
One ballot was turned in blank, according to the Thurston County Auditor’s Office, which handled the April 28 special election for both Lewis and Thurston counties.
There was a 29.34% voter turnout among eligible voters within the Rochester School District, according to the Thurston County Auditor’s Office.
If passed, the proposal would allow the Rochester School District to collect $2,628,405 in 2027 and $2,783,747 in 2028, for the district’s capital projects fund. The fund is used for the construction, modernization and remodeling of school facilities.
The estimated levy rate is $1 per $1,000 of assessed value.
The election results will be certified at 3 p.m. on May 7.
A random audit of the election to demonstrate the accuracy of the tabulation equipment was scheduled for 9 a.m. on April 30.
A livestream of the Ballot Processing Center is also available at https://www.thurstoncountywa.gov/auditor/Pages/elections-live-feed.aspx
Any updates to election results will be posted at https://www.thurstoncountywa.gov/departments/auditor/elections/April-28-special-election
