Ballots mailed out next week
The Stevens County Elections Department will start mailing out ballots for the 2010 primary election next week, but some of the finer details of the election have the potential to confuse voters.
One of the important things to note during the busy mid-term election season is that some non-partisan positions, like the Stevens County District Court Judge position and the PUD Commissioner District 1 position, will not be on the primary ballot. They will appear in the general election.
By contrast, the non-partisan state Court of Appeals, Division 3, District 1 position will be on the primary ballot. Additionally, specific state rules regarding to judicial positions mean the race between incumbent Laurel Siddoway and challenger Harvey Dunham for the court of appeals seat will be decided in the primary election.
“There is a specific state statute that makes the judicial elections different, said Secretary of State Elections Division staffer Libby Nieland. “It can be a bit confusing, but that is how the law is written.” The specific law pertaining to judicial elections is RCW 29A.36.171. A chart of when the judicial elections occur can also be found at www.vote.wa.gov.
‘Top two’ primary
Another aspect of the primary is that it is a “Top Two” primary, which means the two candidates receiving the most votes will advance to the general election, regardless of party.
The ballot style is “one office, one vote,” meaning voters cannot choose two candidates for the same position just because they are from different parties.
Stevens County Elections Coordinator Beverly Lamm also noted that postmark dates are crucial to having a ballot accepted.
“We want to remind people that if they wait until election day to mail their ballot, make sure it goes out with that day’s mail,” she said. “We have had people put their ballot in the Post Office drop box that was only collected every couple of days, so the postmark was too late.”
Mailed ballots must be postmarked on or before Aug. 17 in order to be counted in the primary election.
Ballots can also be dropped off in person at the Stevens County Auditor’s office during normal business hours until election’ day.
On election day, the auditor’s office will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. in order to receive ballots.
The Lake Spokane Elementary School will also be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on election day to receive ballots delivered in person.
Online voter guide, registration
This year, there is also an online voter guide available to voters at www.votestevenscounty.com. This new feature allows voters to instantly access the guide without having to obtain a paper copy.
Voter registration can also be completed online. Voters who are registering in Washington for the first time have until Aug. 9 to register in order to vote in the primary election.
Voters who need to update their Washington voter registration are too late to participate in the primary election, but may amend their status in time for the general election.
For more information about voting, or the primary election, call the Stevens County Auditor’s Office, Elections’ Department at 684-7514.
BY JAMIE HENNEMAN
Special to the S-E
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