Columbia County Democrats favor Biden in Washington Prez Primary

DAYTON–Columbia County Presidential Primary voters gave their support to Democratic candidate Joseph R. Biden, with independent Bernie Sanders trailing by over nine points in tabulations of ballots for the March 10, 2020 Washington State Presidential Primary.

Biden received 158 votes, or 35.75% of the 442 Democratic ballots cast, and Sanders received 116 votes, or 26.24%. The next closest candidate among the 13 on the ballot was recently withdrawn candidate Michael Bloomberg.

Statewide, the Biden-Sanders race is a dead heat. Sanders holds a slight lead over Biden, receiving 335,498 votes or 32.71%, compared to Biden, who received 333,414 votes and 32.51%.

Columbia County voters turned out in nearly unprecedented numbers, said County Auditor Anne Higgins. "I thought our voter turnout was one of the highest we've had," Higgins said, pointing out that 54% of the ballots were in by 8 p.m. on Election Night.

There were 31 ballots in the outside drop box and Auditor's Office ballot box, and those will be counted, along with others postmarked by March 2 prior to election certification on March 19.

Higgins said that over 100 challenged ballots were received since ballots were mailed on February 21, 2020. The Elections Department has resolved all but 33 ballots, Higgins said, with most issues pertaining to signatures either being missing or not matching the signatures on file. All questioned-ballot voters have been notified, Higgins said, and voters have until March 19 to go to the Auditor's Office in the County Courthouse to resolve the issues.

Columbia County includes 13 precincts and counts 2,378 registered voters.