Low-turnout election looks likely in Island County for primary

COUPEVILLE — Voter turnout in this week's Primary Election has not picked up.

Last Thursday, Island County election workers reported just 350 ballots had been received from Langley voters.

The county's election office is closed on Fridays, and workers said only 500 to 600 ballots had been received in the mail on Monday. The ballots include those that were dropped off at the county's drop box in Coupeville, and those mailed over the weekend, from all voters on Whidbey Island.

"That's really low for a weekend and a Monday before the election," said Diana Bradrick, department administrator for the Island County Auditor's Office.

Island County voters are known for hanging onto their ballots until the final days before the election. Historically, the most ballots are received for counting in the days following the final weekend before Election Day.

This week's Primary Election ballot includes two Langley City Council races with three candidates, a three-candidate race for the District 3 seat on the Port of Coupeville board of commissioners, and a four-way race for an Oak Harbor City Council seat.

In Langley, voters will also decide the fate of Proposition 1, a measure that made its way onto the ballot via a petition drive by residents in the Village by the Sea.

If approved, Prop. 1 would eliminate the position of an elected mayor in Langley, and the city council would hire a professional manager to run city hall. A mayor would be picked by the council from its ranks to serve as ceremonial head of the city.

 

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.