Ballots for primary election arrive Monday

Ballots for the state's first-ever top-two primary will arrive in Coupeville on Monday, said Island County Auditor Sheilah Crider.

Workers on the county elections staff have been ramping up for the August primary.

On Monday afternoon, representatives from the Washington Secretary of State's Office will be in Coupeville to test the accuracy of Island County's election equipment.

The first ballots — those going to military service members overseas — will be mailed on Friday, July 18.

"Our Local Voters’ Pamphlet will be in the mail by the end of the month along with ballots to local Island County voters,” Crider added.

Island County had 44,355 registered voters as of June 25.

“We are awaiting final delivery of about 42,500 ballots from the printer on July 14 for delivery to local voters. Our work group will assemble these ballots, preparing them to be mailed July 30,” Crider said.

The primary is Aug. 19.

This year, there are a number of contested races.

In Congress, District 2 Democrat Rick Larsen, the incumbent, is being challenged for his seat in the House of Representatives by Republican Rick Bart and fellow Democrats Doug Schaffer and Glen S. Johnson.

In state races, incumbent 10th District Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island, is running against Republican Linda Haddon and America's Third Party Candidate Sarah Hart.

Incumbent state Rep. Barbara Bailey, R-Oak Harbor, is running to retain her 10th District, Position 2 seat in the House of Representatives against Democrats Patricia Terry and Ann McDonald.

And in the race for District 1 Island County commissioner, incumbent Republican Phil Bakke is facing fellow Republican Reece Rose, Democrat Helen Price Johnson and no-party candidate Curt Gordon.

Voters have until July 19 to register on the Internet or update their voter registration for the primary.

Citizens on Whidbey not currently registered to vote have until Aug. 4 to register in person in Coupeville before the primary.

Ballot drop boxes for Island County will be located from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day at Trinity Lutheran Church, Freeland; Oak Harbor School District, Oak Harbor; Camano Annex, Camano Island and Island County Elections Office, 400 E Main St., Coupeville.

A ballot drop box in the Island County Elections Office, 400 E Main St., Coupeville will be available from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. daily before the primary.

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