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Election: Today is last chance to choose

By Lauren Dake, Columbian Political Writer
Published: November 4, 2014, 12:00am
2 Photos
Elections worker Nancy Bergman counts empty envelopes that have already had the ballots inside them removed at the Clark County Elections office on Monday.
Elections worker Nancy Bergman counts empty envelopes that have already had the ballots inside them removed at the Clark County Elections office on Monday. Bergman says that the number of empty envelopes must match the number of filled envelopes that first came to the facility, as well as match the number of ballots. Photo Gallery

On the Web

Tuesday night’s only vote total is expected to be released around 8:15 p.m. Check columbian.com and facebook.com/thecolumbian for updates and reactions. The county will publish vote totals on clarkvotes.org.

Voter turnout in Tuesday’s election is expected to be low, but Clark County Elections Supervisor Cathie Garber, a self-described “eternal optimist,” is still hoping the county can hit 50 percent.

On Monday only 70,643 residents out of the 249,277 registered voters, about 28 percent of eligible voters, in the county had returned their ballots.

“I’m still hoping (voters) are waiting until the last minute and we get a bunch tomorrow,” Garber said.

On the Web

Tuesday night's only vote total is expected to be released around 8:15 p.m. Check columbian.com and facebook.com/thecolumbian for updates and reactions. The county will publish vote totals on clarkvotes.org.

To be valid, ballots must be postmarked or delivered to an authorized collection location no later than Tuesday. There will be ballot drop boxes scattered around the county Tuesday. There is also a permanent ballot drop box located at West 14th and Esther Street in Vancouver.

Though Washingtonians aren’t choosing a U.S. senator this year, Clark County residents will decide on a county charter and choose a new county commissioner and sheriff. They’ll elect members of the state House of Representatives, and weigh in on the 3rd Congressional District race.

Candidates have been hustling to get their messages out, and substantial financial contributions have helped.

The 17th District House battle between first-term Democrat Rep. Monica Stonier and her Republican challenger, former county GOP chairwoman Lynda Wilson, has been fierce and costly. Latest figures put Wilson slightly ahead in the fundraising category, with $296,862 to Stonier’s $289,965. The winner will represent Vancouver’s suburban east side.

The most expensive county race is for an open commission seat. Republican Jeanne Stewart has raised $139,075 to Democrat Craig Pridemore’s $111,369.

A political action committee fighting the charter and proposed changes to Clark County government, called Don’t Lose Your Voice, has banked $80,868. The pro-charter PAC, Clark Forward, has raised $103,575, according to the Washington state Public Disclosure Commission

In the sheriff’s race, Republican Chuck Atkins has received financial help to the tune of $106,604, and Shane Gardner, running as a nonpartisan, has brought in $59,792.

Other races voters will decide Tuesday:

• Also in the 17th Legislative District, voters will also choose between Rep. Paul Harris and his challenger Democrat Richard McCluskey.

• In the 18th Legislative District, Position 1 Rep. Brandon Vick, R-Felida, is defending his seat against Democrat Mike Briggs. For the second seat, Rep. Liz Pike, R-Camas, is defending her seat against Democrat Maureen Winningham.

• In the 49th Legislative District, Rep. Sharon Wylie, D-Vancouver, is hoping to keep her seat and facing a challenge from Republican Anson Service. Rep. Jim Moeller, D-Vancouver, faces Republican Lisa Ross.

• In the 3rd Congressional District seat, U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Camas, is seeking a third term. Her Democratic challenger is Bob Dingethal.

Voters also have an opportunity to vote on statewide gun measures and an initiative that would lower class sizes. There’s a Clark Public Utilities commissioner race, an east county bridge advisory vote, and for some voters in east Clark County, medical services and school levies.

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Columbian Political Writer