Primary Election Ballots due Aug. 2

DAYTON–Vote-by-mail ballots for the August 2 Washington State Primary Election are due to be mailed or delivered to the Columbia County Auditor’s Office, or designated ballot drop boxes, no later than 8 p.m. Election Day, August 2.

Ballot envelopes are postage paid and may be mailed without affixing postage. Voters may deliver ballots to either of two drop boxes in Columbia County: one in the alley off Commercial Avenue behind the courthouse and the other on Main Street in Starbuck. Officials will be at those locations to secure the drop boxes at 8 p.m. Election Night, according to Cathy Abel, Deputy Auditor/Elections.

In Columbia County, there are races for two positions, Columbia County Commissioner No. 3 and Sheriff. Seeking the County Commissioner post is incumbent Charles L. Amerein and challenger Jack Miller. Only voters in District No. 3 will vote on the Commissioner race in the Primary. The top two vote getters will advance to the General Election.

Candidates for Sheriff are incumbent Joe Helm and Jeff Jenkins, a CCSO deputy. All voters in Columbia County will vote on this office, with the top two advancing.

In the Brooklyn Precinct, two people have filed for Precinct Committee Officer (PCO) for the Republican Party. They are Lorrie Bensel and Randy Schafer. Only voters in the precinct will see these candidates and the primary will decide the winner without going to the General, Abel said.

The District Court Judge position will not be on the Primary ballot, but will appear on the General Election Ballot in November, Abel said. Judge Kim Boggs (non-partisan) is the candidate.

Running unopposed are Tammy Groom Ketterman for Assessor, Anne D. Higgins for Auditor, Kriston (Krissy) Chapman for Clerk, C. Dale Slack for Prosecutor and Carla J. Rowe for Treasurer.

Washington House of Representative for District 9 are Mary Dye, prefers Republican party, for Position No. 1, and Joe Schmick, prefers GOP party, for Position No. 2. There is no state senator up for election this year.

Voters here and across the Fifth District will select the top two candidates for the seat in Congress. Candidates include Cathy McMorris Rodgers, prefers Republican party; Natasha Hill, prefers Democratic party; Sean Clynch, prefers Republican party; and Ann Marie Danimus, prefers Democratic party.

Secretary of State candidates include Bob Hagglund, prefers Republican party; Kurtis Engle, prefers Union party; Marquez Tiggs, prefers Democratic party; Tamborine Borrelli, prefers America First (R) party; Steve Hobbs, prefers Democratic party; Keith L. Wagoner, prefers Republican party; Mark Miloscia, prefers Republican party; and Julie Anderson, prefers Nonpartisan party.

Candidates for U.S. Senate: Henry Clay Dennison, prefers Socialist Workers Party; Mohammad Hassan Said, prefers Democratic Party; John Guenther, prefers Republican party; Tiffany Smiley, prefers Republican party; Dan Phan Doan, states no party preference; Dr. Pano Churchill, prefers Democratic party; Dave Saulibio, prefers JFK Republican party; Sam Cusmir, prefers Democratic party; Bill Hirt, prefers Republican party; Jon Butler, prefers Independent party; Bryan Solstin, prefers Democratic party; Martin D. Hash, states no party preference; Patty Murray, prefers Democratic party; Thor Amundson, prefers Independent party; Charlie (Chuck) Jackson, prefers Independent party; Naz Paul, prefers Independent party; Ravin Pierre, prefers Democratic party; and Leon Lawson, prefers Trump Republican party.