With most ballots counted in the Nov. 4 local election, the outcome of Yakima Valley propositions and races didn’t change Monday. The Yakima County elections office has counted 35,571 ballots total, a 26% rate of return. Another count is planned Friday, with certification Nov. 25. The office estimated 110 ballots are left to count — and Yakima voters are making their voices heard across the region.
A proposition to raise property taxes in Yakima and provide $6 million in revenue for the city’s general fund has failed with 6,909 no votes, or 51.2%, and 6,571 yes votes, or 48.7%. For many Yakima voters, this result reflected their concern about the city’s growing financial needs and the economic pressures facing residents.
Local Yakima voters also decided to maintain Yakima County’s ban on cannabis in the unincorporated area, with 55% voting in favor of keeping the prohibition. This shows that Yakima voters remain cautious about cannabis expansion, preferring to preserve the existing county rules.
There weren’t significant changes in the races for Yakima and Sunnyside city councils. In Yakima, newcomers Juliet Potrykus and Felisa Gonzalez will join Matt Brown on the council. In Sunnyside, Leticia Zesati beat Theresa Hancock in District 1, while Tom Dolan, Vicky Frausto, and Ramon Chavez are leading their races — strong results supported by dedicated Yakima voters turning out across the district.
In Zillah, Mayor Scott Carmack increased his lead over challenger Jacob Castillo, receiving 386 votes, or 54%, while Castillo had 327 votes, or 46%. In Naches, Council member Kit Hawver has 109 votes to challenger David Roberts’ 97 for Position 3. For Position 1, challenger Andrew Matala has 110 votes to Council member Wayne Hawver’s 94. Yakima voters in these communities showed steady support for familiar local leaders.
In Mabton, challenger Martha Gonzalez defeated incumbent Mayor Rachel Ruelas, 207 votes to 74. In other Mabton races, challenger Ruben Olivarez has 158 votes to incumbent Council member Diana Castaneda’s 114 for Position 1. For Position 2, incumbent Sophie Sotelo beat Enedelia Ann Moncivaiz, 159 votes to 108 — decisive choices that reflect the priorities of Yakima voters who value local representation.
Israel Bustamante won the Position 1 seat over Madeline Alviso Ramirez, 167 to 79.
School board races also drew attention from Yakima voters. In Sunnyside, Anna Saenz, Raquel Isquierdo-Lopez, Evaristo Salas, Sandra Zesati, and Jilliann Patterson are winning their seats. In the West Valley, Natalie Shirzad maintained her lead over Jessica Garcia, and Haley Larson beat board president Mark Strong. In Selah, Joe Catron and Larry Patching will join the board.
For Yakima voters, this year’s election highlighted community engagement and a commitment to shaping the Valley’s future one ballot at a time.
