One initiative passing, three failing statewide

OLYMPIA — Voters statewide are saying enough to government overreach on natural gas.

In a preliminary tally in the Nov. 5 general election, Initiative 2066 was passing with 1,434,504 supporting votes (51.35%) and 1,358,874 opposing votes (48.65%). In Lincoln County the measure had 3,579 (73.46%) votes in favor and 1,293 (26.54%) opposed. The initiative would prohibit the state Building Code Council from discouraging the use of natural gas in any building. It requires gas and utility companies, cities or towns that provide natural gas to provide people or corporations natural gas even if other energy services or sources are available.

Meanwhile, three other initiatives are failing.

I-2109 was losing statewide with 63.38% opposed. I-2117 was failing with 61.74% opposed. And I-2124 was failing with 55.36% opposed.

Despite failing statewide, Lincoln County voters overwhelmingly supported those three initiatives, as well.

Initiative 2124 had 61.39% support here and I-2117 had 65.18% local support. I-2109 had 57.44% local support.

Counting of late-arriving ballots continues until election certification.