November election ballots are going in the mail. Here’s what to know
Whatcom County voters will be going to the polls soon — symbolically, at least, because Washington is among a handful of U.S. states with an all-mail election.
Ballots will be sent to all registered voters starting Wednesday, Oct. 19, for what’s more appropriately called a “voting period” or “election season,” giving voters three weeks to consider their choices.
But all ballots must be placed in an official drop box or postmarked, not simply mailed, by 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8.
Drop boxes are locked at that time, and all the valid ballots inside will be counted.
Ballots that arrive by mail after Election Day will be counted if they have a postmark that’s before 8 p.m. Nov. 8.
Elections officials implore voters to check the last mail pickup time on the mailbox if it’s close to the election deadline — or use a drop box.
Remember to sign the ballot envelope before returning it, because the signature is how ballots are verified.
Voters who don’t receive a ballot in the mail can call the Auditor’s Office for a replacement at 360-778-5100.
In Whatcom County, ballots will include races for U.S. Congress, including the House and Senate, the state Legislature, state Supreme Court and secretary of state, Whatcom County prosecutor, District Court judges, and a Public Utility District 1 commissioner.
There will be two local tax initiatives, one for countywide emergency medical services, and another to fund child-care programs.
Some 155,417 voters were on the active rolls through Oct. 11, according to the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office website.
Washington residents can register to vote online at votewa.org .org through Monday, Oct. 31, and up to the election deadline in person at the Auditor’s Office in the County Courthouse, 311 Grand Ave.
Voters who want the nostalgic experience of voting in person can complete their ballots on election day at the Courthouse, using ballot boxes.
Voters can check the status of their ballot to make sure that it’s been received and accepted at votewa.org.
Elections officials will contact voters if their ballot is challenged or not accepted for any reason, such as a missing signature.
Whatcom County voters will be deciding these local races:
U.S. House
U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Everett, is facing Republican challenger Dan Matthews of Mukilteo in the 2nd Congressional District, which after redistricting is Whatcom County’s only congressional district. It now includes all of Whatcom, Skagit, Island and San Juan counties and the western part of Snohomish County.
40th District
Only the two House members’ terms were up for election this year in the 40th Legislative District, which includes the southern half of Bellingham and the rest of southern Whatcom County, the western part of Skagit County and all of San Juan County.
▪ State Rep. Debra Lekanoff, D-Bow, is running against Shannon Perkes, a Republican from Skagit County, for House position 1.
▪ State Rep. Alex Ramel is facing union official Trevor Smith for House position 2. Both are Democrats who live in Bellingham.
42nd District
All three races are open in the 42nd Legislative District, which includes Bellingham’s northern neighborhoods and the northern part of Whatcom County.
▪ State Sen. Simon Sefzik, R-Ferndale, is facing state Rep. Sharon Shewmake, D-Bellingham.
▪ State Rep. Alicia Rule, D-Blaine, is facing Republican challenger Tawsha Dykstra Thompson of Lynden.
▪ Joe Timmons, a Bellingham Democrat, is facing Dan Johnson, a Republican from Laurel, for the House position 2 seat now held by Shewmake.
Prosecutor
Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Richey, a Democrat, is unopposed for a second term.
District Court
▪ Judge Angela Anderson is unopposed for District Court judge position 1.
▪ Jonathan Rands and Gordon M. Jenkins are the candidates for District Court judge position 2.
Ballot initiatives
Voters countywide will be asked to renew an existing levy for emergency medical services, and to approve a new tax for child care and other children’s services.
This story was originally published October 16, 2022 at 6:00 AM.
CORRECTION: Candidates for Washington state House position 1 in the 40th District were updated on Oct. 18, 2022.
