Hello members and Friends of the League,
Now that November 4th General Election Day is over, I wonder what the turnout rate was for our county?
As of November 14th, the unofficial result is 27.35% * of eligible voters in Yakima County voted. That equates to 37,067 out of 135,535* registered voters. For the State of Washington, the count is 1,992,623 (39.06%) * of registered voters voted. It is discouraging to see the low turnout numbers of people voting. Eligible voters still choose not to vote for various reasons.
Our local elections are just as important as the Presidential Election. All the measures and positions on the General Election Ballot affect our communities. Voters who turned in ballots determined the outcome of who fills City Council positions, School Board positions, Fire Protection Commissioners, County Coroner, and District and City Judges positions in January.
Besides the local candidate positions, there was a Senate Joint Resolution No. 8201 (allowing a portion of money in the WA Care Fund to be invested in financial securities), Yakima Proposition No. 1 (county ban on Marijuana) and the City of Yakima Proposition No.1 (increase property taxes to cover a $9 million deficit) in the Yakima City’s Budget. Those who voted and returned their ballots before and on November 4th determined which initiatives passed or failed. If you did not register to vote or did not turn in your ballot, you missed a very important election.
The Yakima County Auditor’s Office will certify election results on November 25, 2025. Then, the Secretary of State certifies the results by December 4, 2025. If you would like to know the results of local races, go online to Yakima County Auditors Office Election Results.
A positive side note: this year’s General Election voting turnout was 11% higher than in the Primary Election. Franklin County’s General Election voting number was 11,241 (23.04%) * and the Ferry County voting rate was 1,364 (26.15%) *. Yakima County did not fall into last place in this election. Columbia County had the highest number of votes counted at 1,487 (49.16%) *.
The Canvassing Board of Yakima County are holding public meetings for canvassing the November 4, 2025, General Election. Meetings of the Canvassing Board are open, public meetings, under 42.30 RCW. The following dates are November 24, at 4:00 p.m. for review of challenged ballots; and November 25, at 12:00 p.m. for certification of the election. Both day’s events will be held at: Yakima County Courthouse – Ballot Processing Center, 128 N 2nd St., Room B-16, Yakima, WA.
I would like to thank our own Voter Service Volunteers for going out to tabling events this year at community events, the Farmer’s Market, and to four local high schools: Davis, Eisenhower, Selah, and West Valley. The Voter Services did a total of 28 events.
I would like to give a shout out to Poder Latinx for organizing volunteers who went canvassing door-to-door in neighborhoods reminding people to vote.
Just as a reminder to our own league members who are not sure how to participate and volunteer there are always ways to become involved, whether it is registering voters at tabling events, civic engagement for adults, civic engagement for students, attending local council meetings, being proactive in the community, protecting our rights to vote, writing letters to the editor, helping to set up presentations, joining in peaceful rallies in the community, writing “thank you “ notes, making phone calls, or just sharing ideas. Without you involved, the League cannot do all these necessary events. Please contact me to see where there is a need to fit your interest or passion, it is never too late!
Future note: There will be special elections coming up in February for school bond levy proposals.
The Leadership Team will be meeting on December 1 at 4:30 PM at the YWCA. Remember that all Leadership Team meetings are on the first Monday of each month unless that is a holiday. Meetings are offered virtually as well as in person at the YWCA. Please plan on attending.
Enjoy your winter gatherings and festivities safely, with family and friends.
Cindy Olivas.
LWVYC President
