2024 Washington State General Election Results and Key Outcomes

Preview

Washington Election Results 2024

General Election Overview

The 2024 Washington state general election was held on November 5, 2024. The election included races for various offices, including President, U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, Governor, and other state-level positions.

Key Results

  1. Presidential Election:
    • Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, won Washington's 12 electoral votes. This result was confirmed by the Associated Press.
  2. Governor:
    • Bob Ferguson, a Democrat, was elected as the Governor of Washington. Ferguson, who previously served as the state attorney general, is set to take office in January 2025.
  3. U.S. Senate:
    • The race for the U.S. Senate saw Democratic incumbents and candidates securing their positions, reflecting the state's traditionally Democratic leanings.
  4. U.S. House of Representatives:
    • The results for the U.S. House elections showed that Democratic candidates were successful in maintaining their seats, with some notable contests in historically competitive districts.
  5. Initiatives:
    • Initiative 2124: This initiative aimed to make Washington's long-term care program voluntary. As of the latest count, 55.5% of voters opposed the initiative, while 44.5% supported it. The initiative would have allowed residents to opt out of the program at any time, which critics argued could financially destabilize the program.

Voter Turnout and Trends

  • Washington has over 5 million registered voters, and approximately 57% of ballots had been returned before Election Day.
  • The economy was identified as the most critical issue influencing voters' choices for the presidency.

Key Issues and Initiatives

  • Long-Term Care Initiative (Initiative 2124): This initiative was a significant focus, with arguments for and against its potential impact on the state's long-term care system. The initiative was seen as a measure to provide more flexibility to residents but was also criticized for potentially undermining the financial sustainability of the program.

Legislative and Congressional Races

  • Early returns suggested that Democrats were poised to strengthen their hold on the state Legislature, potentially picking up additional seats.
  • In the historically red 8th Congressional District, Democratic incumbent Rep. Kim Schrier was vying to maintain her seat, reflecting the ongoing competitive nature of this district.

Conclusion

The 2024 Washington state general election saw significant Democratic victories across various levels of government, with notable outcomes in the presidential, gubernatorial, and congressional races. The long-term care initiative was a key point of contention, reflecting broader debates on state policies and financial sustainability.