It takes only a few minutes to mark and return a ballot, but fewer than one in three Clark County voters will bother to have their views matter in Tuesday’s primary election.
In a year with so much strife and even danger, the need to take a few minutes to vote is obvious.
You don’t want to trust those people whose ads you disagree with make your decisions for you, now, do you? After all, you read The Columbian. You know about local issues.
We know. It’s summer. We’re busy. The thought of Clinton or Trump turns our stomachs. Whatever the reason for ignoring the primary election, most people will. Based on early ballot returns, Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey is projecting about 31 percent turnout for the primary. If so, that will be about the same as the August 2012 primary. But that also means almost 180,000 Clark County voters will be voluntarily disenfranchised.
It’s so easy. After coloring in the boxes for your candidates, take it to any of the permanent ballot drop boxes: downtown Camas, C-Tran’s 99th Street Transit Center, Battle Ground City Hall, Fisher’s Landing Transit Center, or to 14th and Esther streets near the Elections Office.
On Tuesday, there will be more than two dozen other temporary locations; look for them online at https://www.clark.wa.gov/elections or in the voters’ guide.
You can even put a stamp on your ballot and drop it into the mail; if it is postmarked by Tuesday, it will be counted. (For future reference, Kimsey recommends that ballots be mailed no later than the Friday before Election Day.)
No matter how you submit your ballot, when you sign, take a moment to verify your address. Be sure to update it when you move!
The Columbian’s primary endorsements
Our editorial board interviews candidates for local elected office and examines their campaign materials in the hope that our view will inspire voters to create their own informed opinions.
Here are our recommendations:
• U.S. House, 3rd District: Incumbent Republican Jaime Herrera Beutler and Democrat Jim Moeller are the strongest choices.
• State Representative, 17th Legislative District, Pos. 1: Sam Kim (independent Democrat) and Don Orange (D).
• State Representative, 17th Legislative District, Pos. 2: Paul Harris (R) is a strong choice; Martin Hash (D) is the best option to challenge Harris in the general election.
• State Representative, 18th Legislative District, Pos. 1: Brandon Vick (R) and Justin Oberg (D).
• State Representative, 18th Legislative District, Pos. 2: Shane Bowman (R) and Kathy Gillespie (D).
• State Senator, 49th Legislative District: Annette Cleveland (D) is a strong choice; Vaughn Henderson (D) is the next-best option.
• State Representative, 49th Legislative District, Pos. 2: Alishia Topper (D) and Monica Stonier (D) both are strong candidates; Carolyn Crain (R) also is worthy of consideration.
• Clark County council, District 3: John Blom (R) and Tanisha Harris (D) deserve consideration against incumbent David Madore (R).
• Clark County council, District 4: Jennifer McDaniel (R) and Roman Battan (D).
• Clark Public Utilities commissioner, District 2: Nancy Barnes and Mike Lyons. This is a nonpartisan office.
