Primary election ballots are out and should have begun arriving in mailboxes across Whidbey Island this week, the Island County Auditor’s Office announced.

The primary election is Aug. 4 and will narrow races with three or more candidates to the top two challengers. They will move on to the General Election, Nov. 3. Three races will appear on this year’s primary ballot, but only two will appear on South Whidbey ballots: the seat for Langley mayor and position 2 on Whidbey General Hospital’s Board of Commissioners.

Vying for the mayor’s chair are Tim Callison, Sharon Emerson and Thomas Gill; hospital hopefuls are Rob Born, Rita Drum and incumbent Georgia Gardner.

The third race is for Oak Harbor mayor. Jim Campbell, Bob Severns and Martha Yount are all seeking the position.

According to the auditor’s office, ballots are mailed 20 days before the election to people currently residing on Whidbey, and military and overseas ballots are sent 45 days before the election.

Island County Auditor Sheilah Crider warned voters to be extra careful when filling out ballots and to get them in on time.

“The two main reasons ballots can’t be counted are the voter either didn’t sign the ballot envelope or the ballot envelope is postmarked after Election Day,” said Crider, in a news release. “These are easy things to correct.”

Voters can return ballots by mail or drop them in one of the six ballot drop boxes strategically located throughout the county. For drop box locations, visit www.islandcounty.net and then click “Elections.”

Crider also urged voters to fill out and return ballots quickly. The more ballots received early, the more will be counted by election night, the release said.

If you haven’t received your ballot by July 21, call the elections office at 360-679-7366 to get a replacement ballot.