KENNEWICK — Three Richland School Board members have been recalled and will be removed from office in the coming weeks.
That’s according to new ballot results released Thursday for the Aug. 1 primary election.
Benton County Elections Division estimates there are about 400 ballots left to count.
While most of those are likely Richland School District voters, it wouldn’t be enough to change the outcome for Semi Bird, Kari Williams or Audra Byrd. They’re all trailing by at least 1,270 votes.
The official results as of Thursday’s count were:
- Audra Byrd: 54% (10,301 votes) in favor of recall, 46% (8,666 votes) against.
- Semi Bird: 54% (10,338 votes) in favor of recall, 46% (8,633 votes) against.
- Kari Williams: 53% (10,121 votes) in favor of recall, 47% (8,851 votes) against.
Recall elections need to receive 50%, plus 1 votes, to successfully oust an elected official.
Pending any extraordinary circumstances, the three must vacate their offices by the time the primary election is certified, which is set for 9 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15.
The Tri-City Herald has reached out to Byrd and Bird about the election outcome.
In a Thursday morning email blast from his 2024 governors campaign, Bird acknowledged that he had lost the recall battle.
“I will never regret standing for what is right and I will always keep my promises,” said the email.
Williams said the end of the recall was great news.
“The recall has been so divisive and ugly, coming off the coat tails of an already difficult time during COVID. I am so looking forward to seeing our amazing community finally have the chance to come together and heal,” she said in a statement.
The county mailed out nearly 60,000 ballots for the primary election, with most — nearly 53,000 — being mailed to voters within the Richland School District.
So far, nearly 19,000 voted on the recall issue.
Benton County voter turnout stands at nearly 36%.
The recall was the result of a February 2022 split 3-2 vote on the board to go against the state’s indoor mask mandate.
A group of voters who initiated the recall charged Bird, Byrd and Williams of:
- Violating Washington’s Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) by taking final action on a matter not included on a published meeting agenda.
- Violating state law on masking at the time, exceeding their powers and responsibilities as school board members.
- Violating district policies and procedures by failing to assure compliance with laws and policies.
The voters of the recall have upheld those charges.
The recall will leave just two elected officials — Jill Oldson and Rick Jansons — on the Richland School Board. But a majority quorum is needed to conduct any business.
Educational Service District 123 in Pasco is working closely with the school district and Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s office to come up with a timeline to appoint a Richland community member to the board.
Although she’s been removed from office, Williams could still find her way back onto the school board.
Her seat is up for reelection this year and she appears to have survived a challenge from Benton County Republican Party-endorsed Aaron Riggs.
She’ll face Katrina Waters in the Nov. 7 general election.
“I am so excited to continue moving this district forward,” Williams said. “I will have a little over two months off of my official duties, but I will still be attending meetings and running a campaign to be re-elected this November so I can continue on with the hard work that we have started in our great district.”
