Submitted by San Juan County
Today, the San Juan County Elections Office certified the results of the August 6, 2024 Primary Election. San Juan County had the second highest voter turnout in the State of Washington with 56.28% of registered voters casting a ballot. The average voter turnout was 40% statewide. This was the highest turnout in San Juan County for an August primary since 2020.
“I’m so proud of our residents for exercising their civic rights and making their voices heard in the primary,” said Elections Manager Camolyn Armstrong. “Even though we are considered ‘small’ compared to other counties across the state, it’s encouraging to see that we have an engaged population who wants to participate, learn, and shape their community.”
The certified results of the August 2024 primary election can be found on the County’s website: https://results.vote.wa.gov/results/20240806/sanjuan/.
Of the 8,308 ballots cast by San Juan County voters and counted, 37% cast a vote-by-mail ballot and 63% cast their ballot by placing it in a local drop box.
Prior to certification, two audits were completed to verify the results of the election. Both audits confirmed that the results of the election were correct. Details on the audits can be found here: https://www.sanjuancountywa.gov/1292/Current-Election.
Locally, levies and levy lid lifts, as well as Council seats, were included in the primary. Results include:
San Juan Island Library District Proposition No. 1 – Levy Lid Lift
Yes: 56.29%
No: 43.71%
Lopez Island School District #144 Proposition No. 1 – Replacement Safety and Technology Capital Projects Levy
Yes: 65.10%
No: 34.90%
San Juan Council Residency District 1
Adrian Kilpatrick: 19.12%
Kari McVeigh: 50.08%
Stephanie O’Day: 30.47%
Write-in: 0.33%
San Juan Council Residency District 2
Rick Hughes: 50.32%
Justin Paulsen: 44.03%
Jonathan Jonnie Welch: 5.38%
Write-in: 0.27%
San Juan County Primary Voter Turnout Through the Years
August 2024: 14,761 registered voters; 56.00% voter turnout
August 2023: 9,669 registered voters; 45.05% voter turnout
August 2022: 14,572 registered voters; 50.36% voter turnout
August 2020: 13,726 registered voters; 68.61% voter turnout
Fighting Voter Fatigue in the General Election
The 2024 General Election will bring another round of voting and a lengthy ballot. Armstrong’s best advice for fighting voter fatigue? Start early.
“Begin filling out your ballot at the beginning of the 18-day voting window. This will provide extra time for reading the voter pamphlet and making an informed decision,” Armstrong said.
Voting for the November General Election will open on October 18.
Visit the County’s Elections Office webpage to access all elections information: https://www.sanjuancountywa.gov/1221/Elections-Office
