With a record high 35,025 eligible voters in Columbia County, thanks to Oregon's motor voter law, the turnout for the May 16 special election resulted in a 26 percent participation rate Tuesday, with 9,014 ballots being accepted by elections officials.
Despite more registered voters this year, the special election didn't draw as many voters as last year's spring primary election, which yielded a 52 percent voter turnout in Columbia County, or the 2013 spring special election, which yielded 9,760 voters and 34 percent voter turnout, county records show.
Ballots for this year's special election were mailed to voters April 26, with a mail-in deadline of May 11. Those turning in ballots at drop sites throughout the county had until 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 16, to cast their votes. By Tuesday afternoon, more than 22 percent of voters had already cast their ballots.
Ballot return records show the county received nearly 1,070 ballots on May 3 alone.
In this year's special election, various candidates faced off for board positions with special districts, school districts, the Port of St. Helens and fire districts throughout the county.
See right for the results of notable contested races in south Columbia County.
Scappoose School District
Zone 3
Lisa Maloney — 1,143 votes; 44 percent
Mike Bradley — 893 votes; 34 percent
Christine Prockish — 475 votes, 18 percent
Curt Francis — 83 votes; 3 percent
Zone 4
Philip Lager — 1,280 votes; 55 percent
Donny Leader — 1,031 votes; 44 percent
Zone 5
Tim Brooks — 1,298 votes; 53 percent
Joe Lewis — 1,157 votes, 47 percent
Columbia 911 Communications District
Zone 5
Robert Anderson — 1,015 votes; 66 percent
Tyler Miller — 516 votes; 33 percent
Columbia River Fire and Rescue
Position 5
Gary Hudson — 1,912 votes; 52 percent
Ronda Melton — 1,151 votes; 31 percent
Kimberly McLane — 575 votes; 16 percent
Write-in — 23 votes; 1 percent
Columbia River People's Utility District Annexation
Approved — 66 votes "yes," 2 votes "no"; 97 percent
Port of St. Helens
Position 4
Robert Keyser — 2,725 votes; 43 percent
Melinda Bernert — 2,602 votes; 41 percent
Natasha Parvey-Leskowich — 987; 16 percent
Write-in — 41 votes; 1 percent
Position 5
Chris Iverson - 3,452 votes; 53 percent
Megan Kunkel-Hallstone - 2,136; 33 percent
Brady Preheim - 928 votes; 14 percent
