Washington Coalition for Public Charter Schools has declared victory on Initiative 1240, the Washington Public Charter Schools initiative.

The Coalition declared victory in a press release Saturday afternoon, leading 50.8 to 40.2 percent with 89 percent of expected ballots counted in the state.

The race was considered too close to call throughout the week as it looked as though the measure would lose ground in King County. In the end, the difference in King County wasn’t enough to deny I-1240.

Opponents of the initiative have yet to concede; however, being behind by about 40,000 votes, they would need more than 60 percent of remaining votes in order to overcome the deficit.

“This is a clear victory for Washington students and parents, and for public education in our state,” said Chris Korsmo, League of Education Voters CEO and founding member of the coalition, in the press release.

The initiative will take effect on Dec. 6, and members of the charter school commission must be appointed within 90 days of that date.