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clerk on the seventh day following the hearing are not opened or counted, although it is a good <br />practice to keep the unopened ballots for the record, <br />The outcome of the election is determined by a sirnp�e majority of the votes cast. Each property <br />owner has one vote for each full dollar of estimated assessment. For example, a person who <br />receives an estimated assessment of $3,129.85 will have 3,129 votes. The ballots are opened <br />and counted by the clerk of the board. Validity of a signature on a ballot is governed by <br />RCW 36.88.370. The clerk certifies the election results to the board of county commissioners at <br />their continued public hearing. <br />If a majority of the votes cast are in favor of district formation, then the Board may proceed with <br />formation of the RID. They will pass a resolution creating the district and order the county <br />engineer to proceed with construction. If the majority of votes are opposed to the RID, then the <br />board will adopt a resolution terminating the proposed RID and all activities associated with it. <br />Resofuiion of tntentian — Protest <br />This method of district formation is authorized by RCW 36.88.065. E he yaw authorizes use of the <br />formation procedures set forth in Chapter 35.43 RCW. The more specific procedures are <br />contained in RCW 35.43.140 thru .180. This method is also employed by cities in the state of <br />Washington. The protest process is nearly identical to the ballot method up to the decision point <br />during the public hearing. Under the protest method, the board of county commissioners adopts <br />a resolution which states its intention to form an RID. They set a date, time, and place for a <br />public hearing. They direct that notice of the public hearing, a copy of the resolution of intention, <br />and the estimated project cost along with the estimated assessment for the property be sent to <br />all owners within the district. <br />The board holds the public hearing and takes all relevant testimony. It is at this point that the <br />protest process deviates from the ballot method. If the board finds that the district is feasible, <br />they will pass a resolution to form the district. After adoption of this resolution, the property <br />owners are given a 30 -day period during which they may write letters protesting district <br />formation. Validity of a signature on a protest is governed by RCW 36.68.370. If protests <br />representing 60 percent of thetotal estimated Improvement cost (assessment) for the distdct are <br />received the Commissioners may not proceed with the district. The district is divested by protest. <br />Notice of this opportunity to protest is usually sent with the r:otice of the public hearing. As a <br />courtesy, the county engineer may also send a reminderto each property owner a couple of days <br />after the public hearing. This reminder notifies them that if they choose to protest, the protest <br />must be received no later than a day which is 30 days after the date of public hearing. <br />There is no specified format in the RID statute for the written protest and none need be sent. <br />Presumable, individual penned letters would be the norm. However, petitions or form letters <br />arising from an organized opposition may suffice also. If the district is not divested, the Board <br />directs the county engineer to proceed with construction of the project. <br />Petition <br />RIDS may be inAlated by a petition (RCW 36.88.020) signed by the owners according to the <br />records of the office of the county auditor? To be a valid petition, it must represent a majority by <br />two different tests: <br />78 Local and Road [mprovament Districts Manuel for Washington State S&M i:diion <br />