Election Day: Voters weighing in today on variety of races in Washington

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Washington voters will weigh in two initiatives dealing with wildlife trafficking and taxes, as well as a competitive legislative race in an off-year election that is expected to have subpar turnout.

Voters across the state received their ballots at home weeks ago for Tuesday's election, but the secretary of state's office has predicted that just 46 percent of the state's four million voters would return their ballots.

More than 3,000 local races are also taking place across the state, ranging from city councils, school boards port commissions and local tax measures.

Voters are also decide on four non-binding advisory votes on tax increases approved by the Legislature earlier this year, including a gas tax increase and an excise tax on medical marijuana. Regardless of the result on those votes, no changes in state law will occur because of them.