It’s election season, which means ballots are on their way to some Clark County voters for the Feb. 13 special election.
Voters response in February elections is generally low. Turnout has averaged about 35.27 percent in the last five years in these special elections, dominated by school funding measures and the occasional public safety levy.
Area school districts, however, are banking on supermajority support and enough voters to show up to pass a series of bonds to rebuild and renovate schools. To pass, bonds must have 60 percent support and 40 percent of those who voted in the prior November general election must cast ballots.
And Camas is asking voters to approve a renewed emergency medical services levy.
Here’s a roundup of what items are on this special election ballot:
• Voters who live in the Battle Ground Public Schools boundaries will consider a $224.9 million bond to replace schools, build a new school and make improvements across the district.
• Evergreen Public Schools voters will consider a $695 million bond that would replace schools, build a new school and make district-wide improvements. It would also pay for a new central administrative office.
• La Center School District voters will consider a $48 million bond that would build a new middle school and convert the district’s existing K-8 school into an elementary school.
• Camas voters will decide whether or not to renew its expiring emergency medical services property tax levy for six years starting in 2019. That levy is slated to cost taxpayers 46 cents per $1,000 in assessed property value, and covers ambulances and emergency transportation.
Ballots were mailed Friday, meaning most voters should be receiving theirs today. If you haven’t received a ballot by Thursday, contact the Elections Office at 360-397-2345 and request a replacement ballot.
No other voters in the county will receive ballots. Those who live in west Vancouver, Ridgefield, Washougal or anywhere that isn’t in the aforementioned jurisdictions, you won’t receive a ballot
Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by no later than Feb. 13, or can be left at drop-off sites any time before 8 p.m. that Tuesday. Election results should be released at about 8:15 p.m. Feb. 13.
