Oregon Public Broadcasting

Election results from Tuesday's voting are in. April Baer reports that turnout was low, but some important contests have been settled.

LeeAnn Larsen pulled out a win in a competitive race for a seat on Beaverton's school board.

In Portland, Pam Knowles is a new board member. Martin Gonzales will keep the seat he was appointed to fill on the Board of Education last summer.

This was the first year in which local districts could pass levies without a fifty percent voter turnout -- not that it helped much in Crook County, where a tax levy for school operations was trounced, 60 to 39 percent in unofficial results. In LaPine, however, a 6th attempt at a parks and rec levy finally passed.

Turnout is typically low for off-year special elections. The Secretary of State's office doesn't compile statewide ballot return stats for special elections. But turnout trended higher in places with competitive levies on the ballot.

One final result -- former Multnomah Sheriff Bernie Giusto sailed into a seat on the county's Education Service District, a position he ran for unopposed.