The Columbian

Election

Incumbent Chris Reykdal, left, and challenger David Olson are running for superintendent of public instruction in Washington.

A clash over local control in the race to run Washington’s public schools

October 15, 2024, 6:05am Election Free

In the race to oversee Washington’s public schools, incumbent superintendent Chris Reykdal has sought to frame challenger David Olson as a far-right extremist with Trumpian values — a charge that Olson vehemently denies. Read story

Steam billows from the Longview WestRock mill, which makes cardboard materials including container board and corrugated containers, March 14, 2024, in Longview, Wash.

Washington state’s landmark climate law hangs in the balance in November

October 14, 2024, 7:52am Election

A groundbreaking law that forces companies in Washington state to reduce their carbon emissions while raising billions of dollars for climate programs could be repealed by voters this fall, less than two years after it took effect. Read story

U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, left, faces off with congressional opponent Joe Kent during a candidate forum hosted by the Skamania County Chamber of Commerce in Stevenson on Oct. 1. The event was one of multiple meetings between the two candidates before the election, who also ran against each other for the seat in 2022. The race has garnered national attention because the seat could decide control of the U.S. House next year where Republicans hold a slight majority.

Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and Joe Kent slug it out in rematch for 3rd District seat

October 12, 2024, 6:14am Clark County News

Tension crackled between Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and Republican challenger Joe Kent during an Oct. 2 debate at Lower Columbia College in Longview. Kent, wearing a crisp, tan suit, scowled. Perez, in red cowboy boots, a green dress and tweed blazer, repeatedly ran her hands through her tousled bangs. Read story

The Vancouver City Council asking voters to approve a ballot measure to raise the funds needed to add 116 Vancouver police staffers.

Vancouver police levy lid lift would add 80 officers and create a traffic camera enforcement program

October 12, 2024, 6:10am Clark County News

Vancouver residents will decide next month whether the police department will get a funding boost aimed at bolstering staffing when they cast their votes on Proposition 4. Read story

Voter fraud is rare, elections take safeguards to catch it

October 12, 2024, 6:04am Election

You’ve heard the horror stories: Someone casting multiple ballots, people voting in the name of dead relatives, mail-in ballots being intercepted. Read story

Attorneys Angus Lee, clockwise from top left, and Amanda Migchelbrink join John Ley as they appear remotely at the Clark County Courthouse on Friday afternoon. Ley made an appearance during a hearing for voter fraud charges.

John Ley’s felony voter fraud trial moved to Feb. 24

October 11, 2024, 4:29pm Clark County News

The outcome of 18th Legislative District candidate John Ley’s criminal trial, scheduled for Oct. 21, might have swayed voters before the Nov. 5 general election, but that trial date has been moved to Feb. 24. Read story

Political campaign signs are seen along state Highway 14 on Thursday morning. Legislative candidates in Clark County are reporting rampant vandalism and theft of campaign signs. “This issue is much worse than what I experienced during my last campaign in 2022,” said 17th Legislative District House Position 2 candidate Terri Niles, a Democrat.

Can you get arrested for taking down a campaign sign from someone’s yard? What WA law says

October 11, 2024, 7:41am Clark County Politics

The 2024 general election is less than a month away, which means we’re reaching the peak of campaign season. By now, you’ve probably seen at least a few yard signs endorsing someone’s preferred candidate, and even more will likely pop up as the election approaches. Read story

Republican incumbent Rep. Stephanie McClintock, faces a formidable Democrat challenger in Deken Letinich for the 18th Legislative District House Position 1 seat.

Candidates vying for the 18th Legislative District House Position 1 seat have different ideas about how to serve district

October 11, 2024, 6:00am Clark County News

The candidates for the 18th Legislative District House Position 1 seat agree that homelessness and education funding are two of the biggest issues facing the district. But Republican Rep. Stephanie McClintock and Democratic challenger Deken Letinich have different ideas about how to address those challenges. Read story

Republican legislative candidate John Ley of Clark County takes a look at the Interstate 5 Bridge in August. He opposes light rail and tolls, and wants to see a third bridge constructed instead that bypasses Portland and Vancouver’s urban centers. “My signature issue, if you will, is the Interstate Bridge Replacement project,” he said.

John Ley’s voter registration challenge dismissed; he can run for the Legislature using Hazel Dell address

October 10, 2024, 1:20pm Clark County News

John Ley, Republican candidate for state representative in the 18th Legislative District, can continue to run for office based on his voter registration using a Hazel Dell address. Read story