SEATTLE — Statewide voter turnout in the November election was the lowest in a decade.
The Seattle Times reported that so far statewide turnout was about 44.5 percent, less than the 51 percent officials predicted.
Several thousand ballots left to be count could edge the figure up a bit. But Secretary of State Kim Wyman’s office says it will remain the lowest turnout since 2003, when just 40.5 percent of voters cast ballots.
November turnout was lowest in Yakima County at 37.5 percent and highest in Jefferson County at about 65 percent.
Since 1980, turnout in off-year elections has averaged 51 percent. That compares with 79 percent in presidential-election years and 62 percent during midterm elections.
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