Four days after the election, Washington state auditors are still working through thousands of ballots. And there is one potential bright spot in the election results. Initiative 2066, which aims to protect the choice to use natural gas, is ahead by about 88,000 solid votes. Greg Lane from the Building Industry Association, a big backer of the initiative, emphasized the widespread support, saying over 546,000 people signed to get this on the ballot—one of the highest showings for an initiative in decades. If it passes, I-2066 would push back against a 2024 law that’s pressuring Puget Sound Energy to ditch natural gas in favor of electricity. The measure would keep natural gas as an option, blocking any utility plans that discourage or outright ban it. The initiative is also crucial for keeping housing costs reasonable. In the end, people want affordable home ownership options, and this is a big step toward that. Read more at Center Square.

In Yakima Valley’s 14th Legislative District, three Republicans won seats despite a new district map meant to favor Democrats. The redistricting aimed to boost likely Democrat and Hispanic voter outcomes, but Republican candidates Debra Manjarrez and Gloria Mendoza, as well as incumbent GOP Sen. Curtis King, lead their Democratic challengers.

Republican Rep. Alex Ybarra previously criticized the redistricting as a partisan attempt to push him and other Hispanic Republicans out of their original districts – which, it was. But the Democrats’ gerrymandering efforts appear to have backfired this time around. Close races continue in other newly redrawn districts. Read more at Center Square.

Washington voters rejected I-2109, a measure aimed at repealing the state’s capital gains tax on high earners. Now, to the surprise of no one with the ability to reason, Seattle City Councilmember Cathy Moore is taking it further, proposing a 2% local capital gains tax on stock and bond sales over $250,000 annually. Moore and her supporters argue this tax will generate crucial funds for housing, public safety, and climate initiatives. As could be expected, Moore sees voters’ rejection of I-2109 as an invitation to extend the tax to others, If passed, Seattle would be the first city in Washington to impose such a tax.

The race for Washington’s 3rd Congressional District between incumbent Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and Republican challenger Joe Kent remains tight, with Perez leading by about 12,000 votes and over 80% of ballots counted. With 100,000 to 120,000 ballots left, Kent urged supporters to confirm their ballots have been accepted. As Shift WA readers know, the race gained national attention after an arson incident damaged 488 ballots in a ballot box. Read more at KIRO News.

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