ELECTION: Early Results Show Liquor Will Be Privatized

In early returns on statewide ballot measures, the ayes have it -- mostly. Washington state voters approved of measures to limit transportation taxes, expand liquor sales and require stronger background checks of health care workers. 

Washington state voters were approving measures to expand and privatize liquor sales and to require stronger background checks of health care workers late Tuesday. But they were rejecting a limit on transportation taxes pushed by anti-tax advocate Tim Eyman.

The breakdown:

I-1125: This measure seeks to prohibit state gas tax and toll revenues from diversion into services and programs not specifically transportation-related.  As of late Tuesday, 48.5. percent of voters agreed and 51.6 percent said no. A total of 1,037,275 ballots had been counted.

I-1163: This measure seeks to require more extensive background checks and training for long-term care workers. As of late Tuesday, 66.5 percent of voters agreed and 33.5 percent said no. A total of 1,038,603 ballots had been counted.

I-1183: This measure would remove liquor sales from state control and privatize the business. As of late Tuesday, 60 percent of voters agreed and 40 percent said no. A total of 1,058,186 ballots had been counted.

The updated results will be posted on Wednesday.