Update Aug. 5

With a new batch of ballots processed, the August 2026 Primary Election has seen voter turnout rise to 22.47%, representing 326,767 total ballots cast. The latest returns show established incumbents strengthening their positions, while a key local ballot measure outside Seattle has flipped to a leading status.

Seattle Library Levy and Local Propositions

Support continues to build for City of Seattle Proposition No. 1 (the library levy), which is now passing with 72.41% of the vote. In a major shift from early returns, the Skykomish School District Proposition No. 1 has flipped and is now leading with 50.63% "Yes" votes compared to 49.37% "No" votes.

West Seattle, White Center, and Burien: District 34 and Council District 8

In the 34th Legislative District, Democratic incumbents and candidates have widened their margins:

• State Senator: Emily Alvarado has ticked up to 96.82% of the vote.
• State Representative Pos. 1: Brianna K. Thomas maintains a dominant lead at 96.77%.
• State Representative Pos. 2: Incumbent Joe Fitzgibbon has grown his share to 74.15%, with challenger Mary Anito at 24.33%.

For the Metropolitan King County Council District No. 8 race, incumbent Teresa Mosqueda has solidified her commanding lead, rising to 63.91%. Challenger Nick Duda currently sits at 26.88%, while Mia Jacobson holds 8.83%.

Ballard: District 36 and Congressional District 7

Ballard’s state and federal representatives continue to cruise through the primary:

• State Senator: Noel C. Frame leads with 86.44% over Jillian England’s 13.33%.
• State Representative Pos. 1: Julia Grant Reed holds 97.89% of the vote.
• State Representative Pos. 2: Liz Berry remains comfortably ahead with 97.77%.

In the race for U.S. Representative Congressional District No. 7, incumbent Pramila Jayapal has expanded her dominant lead to 83.44%.

Congressional and County-Wide Highlights

In Congressional District No. 9, incumbent Adam Smith leads with 50.17%. He is followed by Doug Basler (24.10%) and Kshama Sawant (13.00%).

The race for King County Assessor has seen a change in the runner-up position: Rob Foxcurran still leads the pack with 43.86%, but Dominique M. Scarimbolo has narrowly moved into second place with 20.00%, just ahead of Christopher Roberts at 19.60%.

In the high-profile judicial races, Colleen Melody maintains her strong lead at 65.15% for Justice Position No. 1, and incumbent Debra L. Stephens sits at 66.40% for Justice Position No. 7.

Original post Aug. 4 - 8:30pm

Initial returns for the August 2026 Primary Election show a strong night for established leaders and local ballot measures across Seattle and King County. With an overall voter turnout of 18.14% so far, residents in West Seattle, White Center, Burien, and Ballard have signaled clear preferences for their legislative and regional representation.

Seattle Library Levy and Local Propositions

A major highlight for Seattle voters is the commanding lead of City of Seattle Proposition No. 1. The measure, widely recognized as the library levy, is currently passing with 71.71% of the vote. In contrast, other regional measures saw mixed results; for instance, the Skykomish School District Proposition No. 1 is narrowly failing with 51.35% "No" votes.

West Seattle, White Center, and Burien: District 34 and Council District 8

Voters in the 34th Legislative District, which covers West Seattle, White Center, and parts of Burien, showed overwhelming support for their Democratic candidates:

• State Senator: Emily Alvarado holds a massive lead with 96.74% of the vote.
• State Representative Pos. 1: Brianna K. Thomas is similarly dominant with 96.73%.
• State Representative Pos. 2: Longtime incumbent Joe Fitzgibbon leads with 73.62%, comfortably ahead of challenger Mary Anito at 24.78%.

In the race for Metropolitan King County Council District No. 8, which represents these same communities, incumbent Teresa Mosqueda has secured a significant lead with 62.78% of the vote against Nick Duda (27.49%) and Mia Jacobson (9.27%).

Ballard: District 36 and Congressional District 7

Ballard remains a stronghold for its current representatives in the 36th Legislative District:

• State Senator: Noel C. Frame leads with 86.16% over Jillian England.
• State Representative Pos. 1: Julia Grant Reed is running nearly unopposed with 97.79%.
• State Representative Pos. 2: Liz Berry also holds a commanding 97.67% of the vote.

For the U.S. Representative Congressional District No. 7 seat, which encompasses much of Seattle including Ballard and West Seattle, Pramila Jayapal is cruising toward the general election with 82.98% of the vote.

Congressional and County-Wide Highlights

In Congressional District No. 9, which includes portions of Burien, incumbent Adam Smith leads with 50.94%. He is followed by Doug Basler (23.79%) and former Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant (12.56%).

In the race for King County Assessor, Rob Foxcurran is the frontrunner with 43.12%, followed by Christopher Roberts at 20.05%. High-profile judicial races also saw strong showings from Colleen Melody (64.80% for Justice Position No. 1) and Debra L. Stephens (66.49% for Justice Position No. 7).

While these early results provide a clear picture of the leaders, King County Elections will continue to tally ballots in the coming days as more mail-in votes are processed. The next results will follow after 4pm on Wednesday.