Numbers still rolling in, Poulsbo City Council race is tight

POULSBO — In a tight race without a landslide candidate, former Councilman Jim Henry extended his lead over current Councilwoman Kim Crowder for the Poulsbo City Council race Wednesday.

The second ballot count added 218 more votes, indicating that the count is entering its final phase, narrowing the chances for fellow challenger Tom Foley to stage a comeback.

Henry was credited with 534 votes, or 34.36 percent, according to unofficial results from the Kitsap County Auditor's Office.

Crowder, the incumbent, has 517 votes, or 33.27 percent.

Foley took last place with 465 votes, or 29.92 percent.

Write-in candidates got 38 votes, or 2.45 percent.

Wednesday's total accounts for 1,554 votes counted out of 5,114 ballots issued. Turnout for the off-year election, in which Poulsbo's ballots contain only the primary for the council position 7, is expected at slightly more than 30 percent.

Crowder said she felt comfortable with her place in the contest, but said it demonstrated she had work to do.

"It shows me I really need to get out there more and let people know what I've done," she said.

Another count will be completed Thursday, said county Elections Manager Dolores Gilmore. The next count after that will be completed next week.

Gilmore said the bulk of ballots would be counted Tuesday and Wednesday, giving a clear idea of which candidates would likely advance to the Nov. 3 general election.

"We'll be down to handfuls," Gilmore said.

If the totals remain close the top two candidates may not know who wins until the election is certified Sept. 2.

To trigger automatic recounts, the tally must be closer than it is now.

For an electronic recount, the difference between the second- and third-place candidates must be less than half of one percent, Gilmore said. To require a hand recount the difference between the bottom two candidates has to be less than a quarter of one percent.

Contact North Kitsap Herald Staff Writer Andrew Binion at abinion@northkitsapherald.com or (360) 779-4464.

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