Use these tips to make sure your vote counts in Washington’s primary election Tuesday
The deadline to vote in Washington state’s all-mail primary election is 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4.
Voters are urged to use one of 18 ballot boxes across Whatcom County, because ballots must be signed and placed in a box or be postmarked — not just mailed — by the symbolic poll-closing time.
Washington uses a “top two” primary system, meaning that the two candidates with the most votes advance to the Nov. 3 general election, regardless of party affiliation.
It’s the first election since restrictions have been in place to fight the new coronavirus pandemic, and results could take longer to post online, the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office said.
Some 150,331 of Whatcom County’s 221,650 residents were registered to vote though July 31, the Auditor’s Office said at its website.
A total of 36,304 ballots had been returned as of Monday morning, according to the website.
Eligible voters can register and cast a ballot through 8 p.m. on Election Day, but they must file the paperwork in person at the Auditor’s Office in the County Courthouse at 311 Grand Ave.
Face coverings and social distancing are required.
Those who didn’t receive a ballot should contact the Auditor’s Office at elections@co.whatcom.wa.us or 360-778-5102.
Election results will be posted at the Auditor’s Office website Tuesday night.
Check the status of your ballot at VoteWa.gov.
Who’s on the ballot?
All statewide offices are on the August primary ballot, from governor to insurance commissioner.
Nonpartisan races with two or fewer candidates aren’t on the primary ballot. Partisan races with just two candidates will be on both the primary and general election ballots.
Washington’s presidential primary was March 10 and won by Republican President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden, who are their parties’ presumptive candidates on the Nov. 5 general election ballot.
Local races feature Whatcom County Superior Court judge positions, both seats in U.S. Congress that represent Whatcom County, both state House seats in the 42nd District covering part of Bellingham and northern Whatcom County, and both state House seats and the state Senate seat in the 40th District covering part of Bellingham and southern Whatcom County — along with San Juan County and part of Skagit County.
Both the Republican and Democratic parties also select precinct committee officers, or PCOs. These are party members who can influence endorsements and help organize at the grass-roots level.
U.S. Congress District 1
Incumbent U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene, a Kirkland Democrat, will face six challengers:
▪ Jeffrey Beeler Sr. of Sultan, Republican.
▪ Robert Dean Mair of Redmond, no party preference.
▪ Steven Skelton of Snohomish, Libertarian.
▪ Derek Chartrand of Redmond, Republican.
▪ Matthew Heines of Redmond, no party preference.
▪ Justin Smoak of Bellingham, no party preference.
U.S. Congress District 2
Incumbent U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, an Everett Democrat, will face seven challengers:
▪ Jason Call of Marysville, Democrat.
▪ Timothy S. Hazelo of Oak Harbor, Republican.
▪ Kari Ilonummi of Arlington, Republican.
▪ Cody Hart of Sedro-Woolley, Republican.
▪ James Dean Golder of Oak Harbor, Republican.
▪ Carrie R. Kennedy of Oak Harbor, Republican.
▪ Tim Uy of Bellingham, “Trump Republican.”
40th Legislative District
▪ For the incumbent in position 1, state Rep. Debra Lekanoff, a Democrat from Bow, is unopposed.
▪ Incumbent position 2 state Rep. Alex Ramel, a Democrat from Bellingham, is being challenged by Russ Dzialo, a Republican from Bellingham.
Ramel was appointed in January to finish the term of Jeff Morris, who resigned to take a job in the private sector.
▪ Incumbent state Sen. Liz Lovelett, a Democrat from Anacortes, is being challenged by Charles Carrell, a Republican from Burlington.
Lovelett is seeking her first full four-year term as state senator. She was appointed in February 2019 to finish the term of Kevin Ranker and won a confirmation election in November 2019.
42nd Legislative District
▪ Incumbent position 1 state Rep. Luanne Van Werven, a Republican from Lynden, is being challenged by Democrat Alicia Rule, a member of the Blaine City Council.
▪ Incumbent position 2 state Rep. Sharon Shewmake, a Democrat from Bellingham, is being challenged by Republican Jennifer Sefzik of Custer.
Whatcom Superior Court
In the non-partisan races for judge:
▪ Superior Court judges Robert E. Olson, position 1, Lee Grochmal, position 3, are unopposed and won’t be on the ballot.
▪ For position 2, Presiding Judge Deborra E. Garrett isn’t running for re-election and three people are seeking the post: James Erb, an assistant city attorney for Bellingham; Lisa Keeler, a Bellingham lawyer in private practice; and Evan Jones, a deputy prosecuting attorney in the Whatcom County Prosecutor’s Office.
▪ For position 4, Superior Court Judge David E. Freeman is facing challengers Carl Munson, a Bellingham lawyer and pro tem judge for Bellingham Municipal Court, and Jim Nelson of Bellingham, a lawyer with experience in criminal prosecution and defense and family law.
