Voters got it right Tuesday night in voting “yes” on two important countywide measures and a resounding “no” on two statewide measures.

We expected voters to strongly support continuing funding for Medic One and establish a Department of Public Defense – and they did. Both are critical to the well-being of everyone in King County.

Elsewhere, two state initiatives were trounced – as they deserved to be.

After millions (and millions) of dollars spent on TV and direct mail advertising I-522, which would require labeling of genetically engineered food, was soundly defeated with 60 percent of voters saying “no.” It was the right choice. If such food is to be labeled, rules and regulations need more thought and care than this measure offered.

Likewise, I-517, which would open the floodgates to initiative gathering, was given a thumbs down by an even larger percent of voters. Initiative king Tim Eyman lamented that “unless reforms like those contained in Initiative 517 are enacted, only initiatives sponsored by the big guys will make it.”

These weren’t reforms, but merely a way for Eyman to get even more losing initiatives on the ballot.

Locally, Bellevue voters returned Conrad Lee to the City Council and picked Lynne Robinson for another council seat. Robinson has spent more than a decade honing her skills on the Bellevue Parks Board and Network on Aging. We expect her to be a strong contributor to Bellevue’s well-being. Councilmember Kevin Wallace seems poised for another four-year term, but was in a close contest with Steve Kasner.

The Bellevue School Board should be in good hands as voters elected Krischanna Roberson and My-Linh Thai to open seats.

All-in-all, a good job by the voters.

– Craig Groshart, Bellevue