In election returns as of Wednesday night, the Arlington school bond was going down, but the Tulalip fire levy was passing, as was a measure for a new emergency communications system in Snohomish County.

Statewide, a tax measure to reduce pollution was failing, but an initiative for tougher gun laws was passing.

And at the federal level, two longtime Democrats were winning easily.

In the county, 229,800 ballots were counted, a turnout of almost 50 percent, which is unprecedented for an off-year election.

Statewide, it’s been a 49 percent turnout so far, with 2,161,009 ballots counted.

The Arlington School District hoped to pass a $107.5 million bond measure. It is the same measure that failed a few months ago despite getting more than 55 percent approval. A 60 percent supermajority is required. But this time is was going down 49.6 percent to 50.4 percent.

Voters in Fire District 15 Tulalip Bay approved a measure for $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed valuation to improve fire protection. Supporters say it’s needed to fund full-time firefighters as the district is growing. It was ahead 63.5 percent to 36.5 percent.

Snohomish County Proposition 1 supporters say it would allow a tax increase of 10 cents for every $100 spent in the county, with the money going toward a 20-year-old, outdated emergency communications system. It was leading 54 percent to 46 percent.

Statewide, Initiative 1631, for new taxes to reduce pollution, promote clean energy and address climate impacts, was failing 56 percent to 44 percent. Those against say the taxes are too high, there is no guarantee they will fix anything, and an unelected board would decide what to spend the money on, with no accountability.

Initiative 1639 was passing easily 60 percent to 40 percent. It would increase background checks, training, age limitations, and waiting periods for assault rifles and would criminalize noncompliant storage.

At the federal level longtime Democrat Maria Cantwell was easily beating former TV journalist Susan Hutchison, a Republican, 59 percent to 41 percent for U.S. senator.

For U.S. representative, longtime Democrat Rick Larsen was easily beating Brian Luke of the Libertarian Party 72 percent to 28 percent.

At the state level, another longtime local Democrat, John McCoy of Tulalip, was easily beating Republican Savio Pham for District 38 state senator 60 percent to 40 percent.

The Independent Party’s Bert Johnson was trailing incumbent Democrat June Robinson for position 1 representative 61 percent to 39 percent.

State Sen. John Lovick, a Democrat, was beating Republican Jeff Sax for District 44 57 percent to 43 percent.

For state representative from that district, Democrat Jared Mead was beating Republican Mark Harmsworth 52 percent to 48 percent.

For state senator in the 44th, Steve Hobbs, a Democrat, was beating Republican Doug Roulstone 56 percent to 44 percent.

One of the hottest local races has been for Cascade District Court judge. But incumbent Kristen Olbrechts was trailing Jennifer Rancourt 52 percent to 48 percent. Also on the ballot are two positions on the Public Utility District: incumbent Sid Logan against Mary Rollins for district 1 and Rebecca Wolfe vs. David Chan for position 2. Logan was leading 59 percent to 41 percent and Wolfe ahead 51 percent to 49 percent.

In other state news, Initiative 940 was passing easily 59 percent to 41 percent. It would require law enforcement to receive violence de-escalation, mental health and first-aid training, and change standards for the use of deadly force.

Initiative 1634 prohibiting new or increased local taxes on raw or processed foods or beverages was passing 55 percent to 45 percent. Advisory vote 19 asks if $13 million in taxes OK’d by the legislature should be maintained, which was at 47 percent, or repealed, which was at 53 percent.

For Supreme Court Position 8, Steve Gonzalez was way ahead of Nathan Choi 68 percent to 32 percent.