RENTON, WA — Thursday’s ballot drop was the largest since election night, adding results from roughly 100,000 King County ballots returned in the final stretch of the voting period. While later returns showed their usual leftward shifts, it appears unlikely that most candidates with big election night gaps will make up enough ground to change the final outcomes.

In Seattle, double-digit leads held Thursday in the mayor’s race and the hotly contested city attorney’s race. The latter race could wind up being the closest in the group, with the gap between abolitionist Nicole Thomas-Kennedy and Republican Ann Davison narrowing to about 11 points Thursday, down from a 17 point gap the day before. Still, the candidates were separated by roughly 21,000 votes. Elections officials estimate Friday’s results will include the bulk of what’s left for Seattle, between 50,000 and 60,000 ballots.

In Seattle’s mayoral matchup, former council president Bruce Harrell led current council president M. Lorena González by roughly 24 points in Thursday’s tally. González formally conceded the race late Thursday afternoon.

For the two citywide council seats in play this year, incumbent Teresa Mosqueda extended her lead for Position 8, leading challenger Kenneth Wilson by roughly 16 points. For Position 9, Fremont Brewing cofounder Sara Nelson led organizer and attorney Nikkita Oliver by nearly 15 points.

King County 2021 General Election Snapshot – Nov. 4

• Ballots counted: 459,686 (+98,071 from Wednesday)
• Ballots left to count:
  • 140,000 – 150,000 (All of King County)
  • 50,000 – 60,000 (Seattle only)
• Next update: Friday, Nov. 5 (by 4 p.m.)

Elsewhere in King County, three-term incumbent Dow Constantine was up 14 points in the race for county executive, leading state Sen. Joe Nguyen. Among the four seats up for election on the Metropolitan King County Council, three incumbents held onto decisive leads Thursday: Dave Upthegrove, Pete von Reichbauer and Regan Dunn. Longtime District 3 incumbent Kathy Lambert trailed challenger Sarah Perry by about 10 points.

One of the closest contests left is for Position 2 on the Renton City Council, where Ben Johnson narrow led Carmen Rivera by fewer than 100 votes Thursday.

King County Elections told Patch that approximately 140,000 to 150,000 ballots were left to tally across the county, and Friday afternoon’s ballot drop is expected to be sizeable. Fresh election results will be posted online no later than 4 p.m.