The older you are, the more likely you voted in November’s election
OLYMPIA — A statistical report issued Dec. 27 by the state Elections Division said that 78.76 percent of Washington state’s 4,270,270 registered voters cast their ballots on Election Day Nov. 8.
Just 60.52 percent of the state’s potential voting-age population participated in the presidential-year election.
The percentage was below predictions by election experts who forecast an 80-percent mail-in return rate. All voting in Washington state is conducted by mail.
An interesting factoid: The older the voter, the more likely he or she will participate in election voting. Voters 65 and older voted at an 88.5 percent rate. And 83.6 percent of those who are ages 55-64 cast ballots.
Adults 45-54 who voted dropped below the 80 percent threshold at 76.9 percent. Voters 35-44 cast ballots at a 73.7 percent rate. Behind that age group were voters 25-34, who turned out at a 73.2 percent rate.
The youngest voting age group — 18-24 — badly lagged behind at a rate of 60.2 percent.
The Elections Division report did not break out voter age-group statistics by county.
We’re talking all about the news business
Representatives of the Port Orchard Independent and Sound Publishing are available to speak to clubs, organizations and at other gatherings across Kitsap County.
How the newspaper operates in print and on the internet, how letters to the editor are handled, advertising and subscriber issues, the do’s and don’ts of submitting a news item, community journalism in the digital age — our team members are happy to address these and other issues.
To arrange to have a speaker address a gathering, phone Terry Ward, Port Orchard Independent publisher, at 360-417-3500 or email him at tward@soundpublishing.com.
Ecology Department seeks comments on shoreline amendments
OLYMPIA — The state Department of Ecology is seeking public comment on amendments proposed by the City of Port Orchard to its Shoreline Master Program.
The city proposes to add more specific guidance for redevelopment and modify sections on non-conforming uses and public access.
The Department of Ecology, which reviews local SMPs under the state’s Shoreline Management Act, will decide whether to approve this limited amendment after the proposal’s public comment period closes on Feb. 2.
Information about the proposed amendment is available at www.ecy.wa.gov and at the department’s regional office at 3190 160th Ave. SE, Bellevue, WA 98008 by appointment. The phone number is 425-649-7000.
If you have comments to share, send them to Misty.Blair@ecy.wa.gov or to Blair, shoreline planner, at the regional office’s address.
‘Preserving Peace’ exhibit at Naval Undersea Museum
KEYPORT — With Presidents Putin and Trump talking about a renewed nuclear arms race, the Cold War exhibit “Preserving Peace” at the U.S. Naval Undersea Museum in Keyport should be a “must see,” whether you want to refresh your memory, or are too young to have lived through it.
The exhibit provides an objective look at the role the U.S. submarine service plays in keeping the atomic peace. Visually interesting photos and videos provide visitors with a graphic timeline of major historical events from the 1950s to the present — the Cold War, Sputnik, the Strategic Arms Limitations Treaty (S.A.L.T.) — and the continuing evolution of America’s fleet of ballistic missile submarines.
The highlight of the exhibit is the Triton multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicle, a ballistic missile payload containing four warheads, each capable of being aimed to hit one of a group of targets. The warhead is designed to carry four more warheads, for a total of eight; the exhibit explains how SALT reduced the number of warheads on both sides.
