Rarely has so much been at stake at a primary election. When voters cast their votes on Tuesday, more than one issue may be decided months before the general election in November.

Many voters believe that the Island County sheriff’s race will be decided in the primary, since sole Democrat candidate Jay Wallace is facing charges from the state Attorney General’s Office for allegedly lying on a police report.

In the sheriff election, Republicans Mark Brown, William “De” Dennis and L. C. “Lenny” Marlborough will face off.

The winner meets Wallace for the top cop position in Island County.

Incumbent Sheriff Mike Hawley is not seeking re-election, and has not endorsed any of the candidates.

Although their solutions to various law enforcement issues and sheriff’s office management vary, the candidates are in agreement about some of the major problems. All cite drugs, specifically meth, as a major issue that is the root cause of other crimes such as burglary and traffic offenses.

Each candidate believes they have the administrative skills necessary for managing the sheriff’s office $4.7 million law enforcement budget and a $1.6 million jail budget and 91 employees.

Other races

The race for Island County assessor is all about moving office technology into the 21st century.

Republicans Dan Jones and Don Mason both hope to advance to the general election.

While Mason claims he can run the assessor’s office effectively with a minimum of technology upgrades, his opponent Jones says it’s time for an overhaul. Jones says he will find ways to update the outdated technology despite tight budgets.

The winner will face Democrat Dave Mattens in November.

A race decided for certain in the primary is the Court of Appeals, Division 1, District 3, Position 1 election. Incumbent Mary Kay Becker has been a Court of Appeals judge since 1994.

Her opponent, Jeff Teichert, works as an attorney. He is concerned that courts too often reverse serious criminal convictions for frivolous reasons, legislate from the bench regarding social issues, and fail to protect property rights.

Also on the ballot — a levy for Whidbey General Hospital.

The proposed six-year levy would dedicate 7 cents of the 13-cent increase to enhance basic life support needs and to continuing funding off-island transports, which keep advanced life support ambulances on the island available for more serious injuries.

Five cents of the increase would go to construction of central and South Whidbey paramedic quarters; one cent is needed to offset decreasing reimbursements and increasing costs.

It’s an all-or-nothing decision, as the hospital’s regular levy will also fail if voters don’t improve the property tax increase for more ambulance services.

Turnout may be good

Even though it is a Republican primary — no Democrats face challengers from within the party for county positions — Island County Auditor Suzanne Sinclair hopes that as many people as possible will make use of their right to vote Tuesday.

“I know that there are people who think that the partisan primaries are less friendly, but it’s still a way for all voters to participate in the nomination process,” Sinclair said.

“It’s good that it’s put out in the public. Better than leaving it up to the parties,” she added.

There are 43,933 registered voters eligible for this election.

So far the auditor’s office has received about 6,700 absentee/mail-in ballots.

Sinclair expects a 35 percent voter turnout.

“We’re a bit ahead of the state average,” she said. Statewide, about 30 percent of people tend to participate in these kinds of elections.

Preliminary results will be available at 8:05 p.m. on election day. The final results will be certified on Sept. 29.

There are four polling places on South Whidbey; Bayview Senior Center, Brookhaven in Langley, Trinity Lutheran Church in Freeland and Clinton Progressive Hall. All polling locations on South Whidbey are equipped with electronic voting units for disabled voters.

“People with special needs will find those very accessible,” Sinclair said.

For more election information, check out www.islandcounty.net/auditor/.