County Coroner
August 4, 2026 · Thurston County, Washington · County · primary
How do we calculate vote impact?
Vote impact = representation (how much weight one vote carries here, the smaller the district's population, the higher the representation) + decisiveness (how likely this race is to be close, based on past results and number of candidates).
Representation: Low · 29 out of 100
This district is large for its type, so each vote is a smaller slice of the outcome. About 299,067 people live here.
score = 100 × ln(largest population ÷ this district's) ÷ ln(largest ÷ smallest), rounded to 2 decimals = 100 × ln(2,287,171 ÷ 299,067) ÷ ln(2,287,171 ÷ 2,353) = 29.57, comparing counties in WA (grades: 66+ high, 33+ average, otherwise low)
Decisiveness: None · only 1 candidate
One candidate is running unopposed, so votes can't change the outcome.
Low representation + an uncontested race → Very low vote impact.
County Coroner is responsible for:
- Investigating sudden, unexpected, or suspicious deaths
- Determining the cause of death, sometimes ordering autopsies
- Issuing death certificates and official findings
Affected Areas: Environment and Public Health, Government Efficiency, Public Safety and Crime Control, Civil Rights
Candidates
Gary Warnock
Democratic · Incumbent · declared
Gary Warnock is the elected Thurston County Coroner. County materials identify him as the Coroner, and his voter-pamphlet biography describes service in that office since 2007, previous work as a deputy coroner, and statewide forensic-investigations council service.
Election sources
Source: voter.votewa.gov
Source: voter.votewa.gov