Some Mid-Columbia races still tight on 3rd day

The levy lift for the West Richland library gained some ground toward approval with the third count of ballots released from Tuesday’s election.

The vote to approve the new way of paying for library services was 2,884 in favor and 2,728 opposed, a difference that grew to 156 votes, according to the ballot count released Thursday.

Benton County has counted 65,548 ballots with an estimated 20,000 left to count. New totals are expected to be released on Veterans Day.

A Benton City advisory vote on whether to allow marijuana businesses within the city remained close.

Thursday’s total was 442 for and 428 against, a difference of 14 votes.

In Franklin County, Bob Koch’s lead to retain his county commissioner’s seat narrowed to 205 votes more than challenger Rocky Mullen. The Thursday count brought the total to 6,312 votes for Koch and 6,107 for Mullen.

Franklin County has counted 15,358 ballots with an estimated 6,500 left to count. The next ballot count is Monday.

This story was originally published November 10, 2016 at 6:50 PM with the headline "Some Mid-Columbia races still tight on 3rd day."