SPOKANE -- Even though 2009 is an off-year election there is a lot at stake with everything from local council races up for grabs in Spokane and Spokane Valley to statewide issues such as Referendum 71 and Initiative 1033.

Referendum 71 is the measure that seeks to overturn the legislature's expansion of new rights to domestic partners. State voters are also deciding on I-1033, the latest Tim Eyman initiative that would limit the growth of government to inflation and population.

Here in Spokane the big ballot measure of the night is Proposition 4, the community bill of rights that would require the city to provide health care and a plethora of other new services to citizens.

Down at the Spokane County Auditor’s office a steady stream of people have been dropping off their ballots through the day Tuesday as well as ballot boxes from Cheney to Spokane Valley and multiple points in-between.

The elections office was busy throughout the day counting ballots and they are hoping to get 80,000 of them counted and have some unofficial results available by 8 p.m. Ballot counting will continue for the next few days, depending on how people decided to mail their ballets

This year the elections office says they expect to see close to a 50-percent turnout.