Measure to overturn Tumwater's fireworks ban failing in latest vote count

A measure to overturn Tumwater’s ban on fireworks was failing in the latest vote count from Tuesday’s special election.

The question was whether to permit the sale, possession and discharge of fireworks around the Fourth of July. As of Wednesday afternoon, 37 percent voted yes while 64 percent voted no, according to unofficial results from the Thurston County Auditor’s Office.

Turnout was 33 percent.

Tumwater voters narrowly approved a ban on fireworks less than two years ago. The measure on Tuesday’s ballot would have allowed sales from June 28 to July 4, three days more than what was allowed before the ban went into effect.

The measure also said the City Council could restrict “but not eliminate entirely” the use of fireworks in years with extreme fire danger, something the city was able to do before the ban.

Supporters of the ban argued fireworks cause injuries and fires and can be a nuisance to pets and people with post-traumatic stress disorder. Opponents of the ban, meanwhile, argued the city should focus on stopping the use of fireworks that are illegal under state law.

The petition to repeal the ban was submitted by a group called Citizens for Legal Fireworks. American Promotional Events in Tacoma, a fireworks distributor, gave more than $30,000 in in-kind contributions to that group.

The fireworks measure was the only question on Tuesday’s ballot. Results will be certified May 4.

This story was originally published April 24, 2018 at 8:28 PM with the headline "Measure to overturn Tumwater's fireworks ban failing in latest vote count."