Proposition 5 wins by 20 votes; Sefzik wins north county votes

Whatcom County Auditor’s Office finalized November 2022 election results on November 28. While the last ballots to be counted didn’t change much for the candidates, they did swing the race for one county proposition.

Proposition 5, the Whatcom County children’s initiative levy lid lift, passed by 20 votes after looking as if it was going to fail during the majority of the ballot count. The proposition passed with 54,290 votes in favor (50.01 percent) and 54,270 votes against (49.99 percent).

Proposition 5 will authorize the county to increase property taxes to fund early learning programs, childcare and support for homeless and other vulnerable children. The measure will increase the regular property tax levy by $.19 per $1,000 of assessed valuation of 10 years, generating about $8.2 million annually.

Nearly 71 percent of the county’s 157,683 registered voters turned out for the election, according to the auditor’s website.

While Sharon Shewmake (D) won the state senate for the 42nd district in a close race, Simon Sefzik (R) was favored by the majority of Birch Bay and Custer area voters. Sefizk swept the east Blaine precincts and received the majority of votes along Birch Bay Drive, Point Whitehorn and Birch Point Road. Shewmake won downtown Blaine, Semiahmoo and northern Birch Bay.