Pullman bonds sorted out, both pass

The final count for Pullman’s two major bond measures fell short of the required turnout for validation, but both measures drew well over the required 60 percent yes vote for passage.

Pullman officials Tuesday determined the two measures have passed because the count of yes votes on the measures surpassed the yes votes required if the total ballot counts had reached the required turnout for validation

Required turnout validation number at 40 percent of the last general election was 3,854 votes.

The total number of votes for Pullman’s $10.5 million proposition for a 20-year bond issue finished with 3,798 votes or 56 short of validation.

The total number of votes cast for Pullman’s $2.4 million bond levy finished with 3,774 total votes or 80 votes short of validation.

Pullman City attorney Laura McAloon said the two propositions passed under a provision in the state constitution.

The required number of yes votes for validation passage was 2,312, 60 percent of the 3,854 required turnout

Proposition one received 2,410 yes votes, and proposition two received 2,783.

Prosecutor Denis Tracy, a member of the county canvass board, pointed out the work of the board requires it to tally and report the election totals to the entities who placed the measures on the ballot. The board does not declare a winner, and any subsequent action on the measures is left up to the entity, in this case the City of Pullman.

Pullman qualified because of the strong yes support for the measures despite too few ballots. Pullman’s big bond measure was approved at 63.45 percent and the smaller version was approved at 73.74 percent,

In a letter of response to county commissioners late Nov. 22, County Auditor Eunice Coker reiterated her opinion that the two Pullman bond issues had not met the validation requirement. Coker reported she has reviewed the requirement with the elections staff and Secretary of State’s office. She said she determined the two Pullman measures were each required to have a total ballot return of 40 percent of the last 2016 general election.

In her report to the commissioners, Coker said it was her understanding the total vote count requirement applies only in school special levy elections.

Coker again listed the required validation turnout, 40 percent of the 2016 general election, at 3,854.

The overall Pullman ballot return has topped the 40 percent validation requirement with 3,946 votes.