With most ballots counted, Yakima voters turn down levy and change to cannabis

November 11, 2025

With most ballots counted in the Nov. 4 local election, the outcome of Yakima Valley propositions and races didn’t change Monday.

The Yakima County elections office has counted 35,571 ballots total, a 26% rate of return. Another count is planned Friday, with certification Nov. 25. The office estimated 110 ballots are left to count.

A proposition to raise property taxes in Yakima and provide $6 million in revenue for the city’s general fund has failed with 6,909 no votes, or 51.2%, and 6,571 yes votes, or 48.7%.

Local voters want to keep Yakima County’s ban on cannabis in the unincorporated area, with 55% in favor.

There weren’t significant changes in the races for Yakima and Sunnyside city councils. In Yakima, newcomers Juliet Potrykus and Felisa Gonzalez will join Matt Brown on the council.

In Sunnyside, Leticia Zesati beat Theresa Hancock in District 1. Tom Dolan, Vicky Frausto and Ramon Chavez are leading their races.

Zillah mayor

Mayor Scott Carmack increased his lead over challenger Jacob Castillo. Carmack has received 386 votes, or 54%. Castillo has 327 votes, or 46%.

Naches Council

Naches Council member Kit Hawver has 109 votes to challenger David Roberts’ 97 for the Position 3 seat. For Position 1, challenger Andrew Matala has 110 votes to Council member Wayne Hawver’s 94.

Mabton

In Mabton, challenger Martha Gonzalez defeated incumbent Mayor Rachel Ruelas, 207 votes to 74.

In other Mabton races, challenger Ruben Olivarez has 158 votes to incumbent Council member Diana Castaneda’s 114 for Position 1. For Position 2, incumbent Sophie Sotelo beat Enedelia Ann Moncivaiz, 159 votes to 108.

Granger

In Granger, Juan “Johnny” Isiordia is winning his race with Ryan “Stoney” Stonemetz. Isiordia had 139 votes to Stonemetz’s 109. Israel Bustamante won the Position 1 seat over Madeline Alviso Ramierz, 167-79.

School boards

• In Sunnyside, Anna Saenz, Raquel Isquierdo-Lopez, Evaristo Salas, Sandra Zesati and Jilliann Patterson are winning their races for school board. All five seats were up for election this year because of redistricting.

• In the West Valley, Natalie Shirzad has maintained her lead over Jessica Garcia. Shirzad had 3,946 votes, or 50% to Garcia’s 3,892 votes, or 49.45% for District 2.

In District 3, Haley Larson beat West Valley school board president Mark Strong. Monday’s results showed Larson with 4,345 votes, or 55.5%, to Strong’s 3,457 votes, or 44.1%.

• In Selah, Joe Catron and Larry Patching will join the board.