Election precinct analysis: Enumclaw, Black Diamond stays red, but rejected some initiatives

While the cities mostly supported Republicans, a majority of voters voted against Initiative 2109.

By Ray Miller-Still • December 16, 2024 3:15 pm
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This map shows the voting precincts in the cities of Enumclaw and Black Diamond, plus the ones in unincorporated King County. Image courtesy King County
This map shows the voting precincts in the cities of Enumclaw and Black Diamond, plus the ones in unincorporated King County. Image courtesy King County

The winds of political change may be coming to the Plateau – or at least a light zephyr.

In general, the area is still pretty staunchly red, but one Democratic race and two left-leaning initiatives received a majority of resident support during the Nov. 5 general election.

The Courier-Herald examines election precinct data after the ballots are all counted and the election certified to track any possible changes to the local political realm.

When it came to the candidates on the ballot, Enumclaw (inside the city limits) stuck to voting for Republican candidates.

President-Elect Donald Trump gained support in Enumclaw over the 2020 election. Four years ago, 52% of city-limit residents voted for Trump, and 48% for President Joe Biden. This year, close to 56% of residents cast a ballot for the incoming president, an 833-vote difference.

But Trump lost support in Black Diamond.

In 2020, 52% of Black Diamond residents supported Trump. However, that support flipped on Nov. 4, with nearly 52% of votes cast for Vice President Kamala Harris. That difference is just about 140 votes.

Candidate support down-ballot was all red.

Legislative District 5, Position No. 1 candidate Mark Hargrove, a Black Diamond resident, took 54% of the vote in his hometown, and 60% in Enumclaw; LD 5 Pos. 2 candidate Patrick Peacock got just over 59% of voter support, and 52% in Black Diamond.

What may be more interesting, however, is lack of support for two of the three statewide initiatives on the ballot. The initiatives were largely supported by Republicans.

Enumclaw voted to approve two: I-2066, which was passed by the state and prohibits state and local governments from restricting access to natural gas as an energy source, by 64%; and I-2117, which would have repealed the state’s natural gas cap-and-invest program, by 51%. This initiative failed.

But the city, which often votes against tax increases (with the exception of increasing property taxes for the Enumclaw Fire Department), rejected I-2109 by 52%. The initiative, if it had been approved, would have overturned the state’s tax for individuals who make $250,000 or more in capital gains.

Black Diamond also rejected I-2019 with more than 55% of the vote, as well as I-2117 with 54% of the vote. It supported I-2066 with 61% of the vote.

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