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Election Day: Voters weigh in on council and port positions, initiatives

Photo: KGMI/Dave Walker


BELLINGHAM, Wash. – You just have a matter of hours to fill out and return your general election ballot.

County and city council positions are being decided as are school and other local boards.

Bellingham voters will decide on four initiatives addressing renters’ rights, police tactics, unionization and workers’ scheduling and pay.

Voters will also get a chance to weigh in on Washington State’s new capital gains tax.

The 7% tax on the sale of stocks, bonds and other high-profit assets goes into effect on January 1st.

It will apply to single people and couples who sell certain assets worth more than $250,000.

It does not apply to real estate, agricultural sales, retirement accounts, family owned businesses and more.

It’s expected to impact about 7000 of the state’s wealthiest people.

Critics call the measure passed by Democrats and signed by Governor Jay Inslee an unconstitutional income tax.

Voters’ decision will be advisory and won’t change the law.

Residents can register to vote or update their registration in-person at the Auditor’s Office Voting Center until 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Ballots must be postmarked by today or in a drop-box by 8 p.m. in order to be counted.

KGMI will have live coverage of the initial vote counts and comments from the candidates starting at 8 pm tonight.

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