Updated election results: The leads and surprises in Tuesday's biggest races

Initiative 1401 seeks state penalties for wildlife trafficking

In Washington, voters weighed in on a ballot measure that would add state penalties to violators and expand the number of animals prohibited for trade.  As of the second drop of results, 71 percent of voters said "yes" to the measure.

The measure on November's ballot would ban the purchase, sale and distribution of parts or products made from 10 endangered animals: lions, elephants, rhinos, tigers, leopards, cheetahs, marine turtles, pangolins, sharks and rays. Offenders could face a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Initiative 1401 is backed by billionaire Paul Allen and supported by the Humane Society of the United States and conservation and zoological groups. Click here to learn more.

Snohomish County Executive behind in race

Incumbent John Lovick is behind in the race for Snohomish County Executive. Contender Dave Somers leads with 57 percent of the votes.

Somers says his top priority for the county is to restore fiscal restraint.

In September, Somers said the county in the worst financial shape it’s ever been in, and proposed an emergency hiring freeze, blaming down revenues, lawsuit settlements, expenses at the jail and the response to the landslide in Oso.

The freeze was voted down by other council members.

Lovick was adamantly against the freeze and has pointed to regional economic indicators to suggest that things are going well for the county's finances, according to the Herald.

Community Transit Prop. 1 would bring improvements, at a cost

According to second round of results on Wednesday, voters in the Community Transit service area narrowly approved the Community Transit Proposition 1, a measure that would increase sales tax three-tenths of a percent (0.3%) to fund transportation improvements in Snohomish County.

Only those who live in the Snohomish County Public Transportation Benefit Area ( see PDF map ) had the vote on their ballot. The service area is much of Snohomish County, excluding Everett.

If passed, the tax increase would only affect the service area, bringing the total sales tax to 9.8 percent in much of south Snohomish County.

Seattle City Council members to be decided in 9 districts

Seattle voters chose council members under the new district system, which was approved two years ago. In years past, councilmembers have been elected on positions. 
 
The city of Seattle is divided into seven council districts; voters chose one council to represent the district they live in. In addition, they will chose council members to represent the city at large. Below are the results as of the second round of results on Wednesday.

Council District No. 1 (West Seattle)

AHEAD: Shannon Braddock serves as the chief of staff to country councilmember of Joe McDermott, addressing local issues from transportation to human services. She has also served on the boards of WestSide Baby and West Seattle Food Bank. With your vote I'll be a focused, dedicated voice for West Seattle, South Park and all of our great neighborhoods," she said in the Voters' Pamphlet.

BEHIND: Lisa Herbold has lived in District one for 15 years. She worked for 17 years as a legislative aide to councilmember Nick Licata. "As your Councilmember I'll champion transit expansion and pedestrian safety; cut congestion from long commutes by ensuring development includes truly affordable housing, so our workforce can live here. I'll work to approve development impact fees to fund our transportation infrastructure," Herbold said in the Voters' Pamphlet.

Council District No. 2 (South Seattle, Georgetown, International District)

AHEAD: Incumbent Bruce Harrell says under his leadership, the city added 120 officers and will add an additional 100 officers by 2017. He also highlights in the Voters' Pamphlet that he wants to progress the city's transportation, jobs and educations and housing. "I know you want strong public safety, affordable housing and transportation options that move us efficiently and safely.  You want parks and open space.  Keep me working for you!" he wrote.
 
BEHIND: Tammy Morales is a small business owner, neighborhood planner, community activist. She says she wants to ensure that future development aligns with our goals for creating a just, equitable and safe city. "I've demonstrated my commitment by providing small business assistance to women and immigrant-owned businesses, increasing access to healthy food, and supporting affordable housing development," she wrote in the Voters' Pamphlet.

Council District No. 3 (Capitol Hill)

AHEAD: Incumbent Kshama Sawant passed a $15-hour-minimum wage during her term, but says "our city is becoming increasingly unequal and unaffordable," in the Voters' Pamphlet . She says in another term she would take on "skyrocketing rents." 
 
BEHIND: Pamela Banks says she has been an advocate for social justice in Seattle for over 30 years. "I've spent my career uniting people to address complex problems, making progress on racial and economic justice, fair wages for women, and safe, affordable housing for all. For 20 years, I've called District 3 home, as a community and nonprofit volunteer, former  president of the Garfield PTSA and CEO of the Seattle Urban League. With your vote, I'll bring our progressive values and neighborhood priorities to City Hall. We need both if we are to truly move Seattle forward," she wrote in the Voters' Pamphlet.

Council District No. 4 (Roosevelt neighborhood, U-District)
 
AHEAD: Rob Johnson highlights improving affordability, income inequality, neighborhood schools and public safety in the Voters' Pamphlet. As an urban planner and transportation nonprofit director, the results of my work are visible in District 4: three light-rail stations opening soon, expanded Metro transit, low-income fares for seniors, students and working families, pedestrian and bike protections providing safer routes to schools and jobs," he wrote.
 
BEHIND: Michael Maddux currently works for Planned Parenthood and serves on the executive Board of the Democratic Party. He says in the Voter Pamphlet that Seattle is becoming too expensive for too many people. "The only renter and gay candidate running in this election, with a daughter in Seattle Public Schools, I experience this increasing unaffordability, and know that, together, we can turn this trend around. I'm running for city council to bring bold ideas to do just that," he wrote.

Council District No. 7 (Downtown)
 
AHEAD: Sally Bagshaw has lived in downtown Seattle for 15 years. Her priories are relieving traffic congestion, public safety, parks, education, housing, and human services. "Sally has been a committed volunteer for kids, schools, and those who are homeless," the Voters' Pamphlet said.
 
BEHIND: Deborah Zech-Artis writes in the Voters' Pamphlet that she wants to" make all negotiations recorded and become public record prior to any vote; no more backroom deals; have the City Council meet in the communities on a regular basis; equal time for citizens and businesses to testify before the council; review all legislation passed or rejected since November 2014."

AHEAD: Civil rights attorney and former Mayoral adviser Lorena Gonzalez Lorena González says she grew up working with her family as migrant farm workers in the Yakima Valley, earning her first paycheck as an 8-year-old. She wants to improve public schools and investing in transportation, according to the Voters' Pamphlet.  
 
BEHIND: "As a business consultant, and chair of the Seattle Neighborhood Coalition and community activist with more than a decade of experience organizing and representing citizen interests at City Hall, I have the demonstrated leadership, experience and vision to address the issues before us," Bill Bradburd wrote in theVoters' Pamphlet. He stands for issues that include police protection and affordable housing.

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