The counting is over: Washington counties certify results of 2016 general election

The count­ing of bal­lots in Wash­ing­ton’s 2016 gen­er­al elec­tion has come to an end, with coun­ties cer­ti­fy­ing the results a full three weeks after elec­tion day.

King Coun­ty Elec­tions report­ed that final vot­er turnout was 82%, exceed­ing the statewide aver­age of 78.75% across all thir­ty-nine counties.

“The depart­ment cer­ti­fied the results, which offi­cial­ly declared win­ners for can­di­date offices and declared whether bal­lot mea­sures passed or failed. Can­di­date con­ces­sions or the media announc­ing a win­ner of a race are not offi­cial dec­la­ra­tions,” said the Elec­tions Divi­sion in a news release.

Franklin and Stevens coun­ties are still work­ing on fin­ish­ing up their work. All the oth­er coun­ties have sub­mit­ted their final reports to the state as of 4:45 PM.

Total statewide vot­er turnout statewide will be low­er than the 2012, 2008, and 2004 elec­tions, which were all above eighty per­cent. Sec­re­tary of State Kim Wyman had sug­gest­ed turnout might be record-break­ing, but it wound up being less than each of the last three pres­i­den­tial elec­tions, con­tin­u­ing a down­ward trend that we have seen in Wash­ing­ton State over the past few years.