Voters make their mark
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LAKE COUNTY — The Ronan Public Safety Mill Levy to match funds for a $124,311 grant to hire additional police officers may be facing a recount after it failed by just two votes on Nov. 8. The K-12 St. Ignatius School District No. 28 also failed 574-712, although it fared better than when it was introduced in the primary election. In a close race for Senate District 47, only 417 votes separated Republican Dan Salomon and Tom France, with Salomon retaining his incumbent position. Greg Hertz was re-elected to serve House District 12 and John Fleming won HD 93. Winners running unopposed for Lake County offices in the general election include Lyn Platt Fricker, Lake County Clerk of District Court; Dave Stipe, Lake County Commissioner, District 2; and Carolyn O. Hall, Lake County Superintendent of Schools. There were no candidates on the ballot for Senate District 8, which covers mostly the east side of Highway 93 from Ravalli north past Finley Point, and areas east of the Mission Mountains. Ballot Initiative 182 to expand access to medical marijuana passed with 57 percent for and 42 percent against. Also passing was “Marsey’s Law” I-116 regarding crime victims’ rights, 65 percent in favor and 24 percent opposed. I-181 promoting research for brain injuries failed 57 to 42 percent. The trapping initiative I-177 to prohibit trapping on public lands also failed with 62 against and 37 for. In state positions, Governor Steve Bullock gathered 50 percent of voters compared to Greg Gianforte at 46 percent. Other winners include Corey Stapleton-R, Secretary of State, Tim Fox-R, Attorney General; Matt Rosendale-R, State Auditor; Elsie Arntzen, State Superintendent of Schools. With a 73.1 percent voter turnout statewide and 71.5 percent of Lake County registered voters casting their ballots, the election drew more voters than the 2012 general election and less than in 2008 when President Obama was first elected. Visit sos.mt.gov for results.
