An analysis of unofficial precinct returns in Tuesday’s election shows that voters on Bainbridge Island overwhelmingly supported Initiative 594, the ballot measure to expand background checks to all gun sales.
I-594 was passing with 58 percent of the statewide vote, according to the latest tally.
But on Bainbridge, I-594 was supported by voters in stunning fashion, with 83.8 percent of voters saying “yes,” according to an analysis by the Bainbridge Review.
I-594 requires background checks by licensed gun dealers on all firearm sales and transfers, including those made at gun shows or over the internet.
Unofficial precinct returns through Thursday, Nov. 6 on Bainbridge show I-594 passed by a huge majority in each of the island’s 22 precincts.
The vote was above 80 percent in all but two precincts: Tolo (78 percent “yes” vote) and Seabold (also 78 percent).
I-594 nearly hit the 90 percent approval mark in Blue Heron, where it pulled in 89.5 percent of the vote.
Here’s the breakdown of how it fared across the island:
Blue Heron: 89.5 percent
Alalea: 88 percent
Winslow: 88 percent
Wing Point: 82 percent
Blakely: 84 percent
Crystal Springs: 86 percent
Finch: 83 percent
Ferncliff: 85 percent
Eagle Harbor: 82 percent
Fort Ward: 82 percent
Island Center: 82 percent
Meadowmeer: 83 percent
New Brooklyn: 80 percent
Liberty: 83 percent
Skiff Point: 82 percent
Rolling Bay: 83 percent
Lovgren: 82 percent
Tolo: 78 percent
Seabold: 78 percent
Manzanita: 83 percent
Port Madison: 83 percent
Torvanger 81 percent
The initiative was approved in Kitsap County by 58 percent of voters, which matched the statewide tally.
I-594 also found other areas of strong support in the county.
It passed with more than 70 percent of the vote in two Bremerton precincts (Precinct 7, north of 18th Street between Chester and Warren Avenues; and Precinct 32, the area between Auto Center Way West and Kitsap Way).
Voters in Poulsbo’s Precinct 405 (the area between Front Street and Highway 305 from NE Hostmark Street to just past NE Liberty Road) also voted big for the measure, with 74 percent in support of I-594.
Other strongholds of support include S’Klallam (81 percent in favor of I-594), Indianola (75 percent) and Suquamish (73 percent).
I-594 received a majority vote in 145 precincts in Kitsap County, and voters rejected it in 51 precincts.
(Kitsap has 209 precincts; there were no votes reported in 10 precincts, and the county withheld the vote tallies in another three precincts to protect voter privacy due to the small number of ballots returned).
The initiative found its greatest level of opposition in Lake Helena, where it was rejected by 65 percent of voters.
