City Council contenders emerge from primary election | General election to be held on Nov. 3

The city of Bellevue shared low voter turnout with the rest of King County in Tuesday night’s initial primary election results. Almost 14,700 Bellevue residents had their ballots counted the night of Aug. 4, which was about 20 percent of the city’s 73,000 registered voters — meanwhile the county saw a 19.52 percent ballot return rate overall.

By Allison DeAngelis • August 5, 2015 7:44 pm

The city of Bellevue shared low voter turnout with the rest of King County in Tuesday night’s initial primary election results. Almost 14,700 Bellevue residents had their ballots counted the night of Aug. 4, which was about 20 percent of the city’s 73,000 registered voters — meanwhile the county saw a 19.52 percent ballot return rate overall.

Bellevue has two council seats in contention that received more than two candidates and consequently went into a primary runoff. In runoffs, the top two candidates to receive votes in the primary move on to the general election in November.

Council Position No. 5, which is currently held by by Mayor Claudia Balducci, saw Vandana Slatter and Michelle Hilhorst take the top two spots. Slatter collected 6,168 votes or 42.74 percent of the votes overall. Hilhorst reeled in 5,233 votes or 36.26 percent of the overall votes.

Incumbent Jennifer Robertson is running for reelection for Council Position No. 7, and received 10,976 votes or 77.52 percent of the overall votes. Contender Lyndon Heywood narrowly emerged in second place with 1,589 votes or 11.22 percent of the overall votes. Bill Hurt came in just under Heywood with 1,549 votes or 10.94 percent of the votes.

Results in the primary election are not final. Updated results will be posted each business day until final results are certified by the Canvassing Board Aug. 18.