Washington Voters Pass Background Checks for Gun Buyers

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray, right, congratulates supporters at a "Yes on City of Seattle Preschool Program Prop 1B" election night event Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014, at Sole Repair in Seattle. (AP Photo/seattlepi.com, Jordan Stead)

Washington State voters passed Initiative 594, which mandates universal background checks for gun buyers, by a large margin Tuesday. That’s a big win for gun control advocates who have struggled to get legislation passed until now. An opposing measure that would have banned background checks unless they were federally mandated, failed.

And Seattle Mayor Ed Murray has to be pleased that voters gave the thumbs up to his progressive agenda, passing new levies for a parks district, for transit and for universal preschool. More than 60 percent of Seattle voters passed Transit Proposition 1, which will pay for more buses and cross-town service. And they passed option B to fund early childhood education with property taxes.

A proposal to create and fund monorail in Seattle was defeated with 80 percent of the electorate voting no.

Not all results are in yet, but it looks as if Republicans will retain control of the Washington State Legislature. At press time Republicans look to win the Washington State Senate with 26 seats to the Democrats 23.

Embattled Sen. Pam Roach, who recently triumphed over ethics charges, was leading in her race against Rep. Cathy Dahlquist, R-Enumclaw, in the 31st District.

Democrat Suzan DelBene won her race for US Congressional District 1 with 54 percent of the vote compared to 45 percent for opponent Pedro Celis. Republican Jaime Herrera Beutler won her race with 60 percent of the vote compared with 40 percent for rival Bob Dingethal.

Washington Statewide Ballot Measures

Initiative 1351 would have lowered class sizes in public schools. Neck and neck into second day of counting

Initiative 591 would prohibit government agencies from requiring background checks on firearm recipients unless a uniform national standard is required. Failed

Initiative 594 requires universal background checks on gun purchases. Passed

National Races

US Representative District 1: Suzan DelBene, Democrat

US Representative District 2: Rick Larsen, Democrat

US Representative District 3: Jaime Herrera Beutler, Republican

US Representative District 4: Dan Newhouse, Republican

US Representative District 5: Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Republican

US Representative District 6: Derek Kilmer, Democrat

US Representative District 7: Jim McDermott, Democrat

US Representative District 8: Dave Reichert, Republican

US Representative District 9: Adam Smith, Democrat

US Representative District 10: Denny Heck, Democrat