Jesse Corkern leads the Whatcom County prosecutor race 57.71% to 42.17%, as Democrats sweep early legislative returns and Bellingham backs all three ballot measures. (Photo: Jesse Corkern for Prosecutor)
BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Early election results released Tuesday night show several closely watched races and ballot measures taking shape across Whatcom County, with 90,027 ballots counted and voter turnout reaching 53% in the first reported results.
The unofficial results for the November 3, 2026, general election were last updated at 8:12 p.m. Tuesday, with the Washington State election reporting system listing its next scheduled update for 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4.
With 170,523 registered voters, the reported turnout represents just over half of eligible registered voters in the county.
Several local races are showing substantial leads, while a handful of ballot measures remain much closer.
Whatcom County and legislative races
In the race for Whatcom County prosecuting attorney, Democrat Jesse Corkern leads Ryan Swinburnson, who lists no party preference, with 57.71% of the vote to Swinburnson’s 42.17%.
The race for the 42nd Legislative District Senate seat has Democrat Michael Alvarez Shepard leading Republican Erika Creydt, 56.41% to 43.50%.
Other legislative races show strong early leads for Democratic candidates:
- 40th District, Position 1: Debra Lekanoff leads Cindy Carter, 80.12% to 19.80%.
- 40th District, Position 2: Alex Ramel leads Joseph Segault, 80.94% to 18.90%.
- 42nd District, Position 1: Alicia Rule leads Misty Flowers, 58.62% to 41.28%.
- 42nd District, Position 2: Joe Timmons leads Justin Pike, 56.41% to 43.53%.
In the 2nd Congressional District, incumbent Democrat Rick Larsen leads Republican challenger Edwin H. Feller, 65.99% to 33.54%.
Port of Bellingham and Public Utility District
Two Port of Bellingham commissioner races are also showing early leads.
Tor Benson leads Paul Burrill in the District 4 race with 59.34% of the vote. Chris Elder leads Shawn Ensley in District 5 with 62.27%.
In the Public Utility District No. 1 commissioner race for District 1, Eddy Ury holds a substantial lead over Frank Imhof, receiving 70.73% of the vote.
Whatcom County District Court Judge Angela Anderson leads the Position 1 race with 98.56%. Jonathan Rands leads the Position 2 race with 98.66%.
Bellingham voters back three ballot measures
Bellingham voters are showing strong support for all three city ballot measures included in the early returns.
Proposition 2026-06, authorizing the city’s Salary Commission to set the mayor’s salary, is passing with 86.25% voting yes.
Proposition 2026-07, which would streamline the city’s contract review process by allowing electronic signatures, is passing with 80.70% support.
Initiative 26-01, prohibiting algorithmic price-fixing in the rental market, is receiving 86.88% support, with 29,805 yes votes compared to 4,500 no votes.
Statewide initiatives
Three statewide initiatives are also included in Tuesday night’s early results.
Initiative Measure IP26-645, concerning state and local taxes, is failing with 63.02% voting no and 36.98% voting yes.
The measure would repeal the 9.9% tax on annual individual income exceeding $1 million and prohibit taxes measured by individual income. The state describes the measure as potentially reducing funding for public education and human services.
Initiative Measure IL26-001, concerning parental rights in public schools, is also failing. The no vote leads with 56.78%, compared to 43.22% voting yes.
Initiative Measure IL26-638, concerning participation in K-12 school athletics, is much closer. The yes vote leads with 50.57%, while 49.43% have voted no.
The measure would prohibit students it defines as biologically male from competing in certain athletic activities designated for female students and require verification of biological sex by health care providers.
Lynden and fire district levy measures
Two local tax measures are not receiving majority support in the early returns.
Lynden Proposition 2026-05, a levy lid lift intended to support public safety and essential community services, is failing with 64.04% voting against it.
Fire Protection District 1 Proposition 2026-08, a regular property tax levy lid lift, is also trailing. The measure has 48.41% approval, compared to 51.59% voting against it.
Washington Supreme Court races
Early results in five Washington Supreme Court races show the following candidates leading:
- Position 1: Colleen Melody leads Scott Edwards, 62.65% to 37.24%.
- Position 3: Jaime Michelle Hawk leads David Stevens, 61.44% to 38.44%.
- Position 4: Ian Birk leads Sean O’Donnell, 56.20% to 43.51%.
- Position 5: Theo Angelis leads Dave Larson, 59.37% to 40.51%.
- Position 7: Debra L. Stephens leads Todd A. Bloom, 64.81% to 35.06%.
These are unofficial results, and election outcomes remain subject to additional ballot counting and certification.
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