Seattle went to the polls yesterday. There are still a lot of absentee ballots that remain to be counted, but here are some partial results.

In the Seattle City Council races, incumbents Judy Nicastro, Heidi Wills and Margaret Pageler appear to have lost their seats. They will most likely be replaced by Jean Godden, David Della and Tom Rasmussen, respectively. Incumbents Peter Steinbrueck and Jim Compton will keep their seats. None of the candidates were particularly attractive, in my opinion, but I wish the incoming council the best. To the defeated incumbents, I say good riddance.

The referendum for district elections is narrowly losing. On the other hand, the earliest returns, based solely on absentee ballots, gave districts a comfortable lead. It's conceivable that the remaining absentee ballots will carry the measure. It may take several days until we know the outcome.

What's interesting about the vote count is that except for Council president Peter Steinbrueck, who faced only token opposition, none of the winning candidates received more votes than did the opposition to the district elections referendum. In other words, more people expressed confidence in the existing election system than in the candidates whom that system has offered them. The triumph, perhaps, of hope over experience.