Primary election mail returns at 16 percent

Almost 16 percent of votes have been cast in the primary election which ends next Tuesday, Aug. 7.

Whitman County elections officials reported Tuesday afternoon that 3,027 ballots of 19,376 had been returned to the elections office in Colfax.

The primary ballot includes 18 offices that voters across the county will decide who advances to the November general. Ballots must be turned in to the elections office or postmarked by next Tuesday in order to count in the final tally.

More than 18 percent of voters in the three-way primary for County Commissioner from District 1 had been returned as of press time. The elections department had received 1,055 of the 5,861 ballots from the District 1 race which includes Greg Partch of Garfield and challengers Art Swannack of Lamont and Bill Tensfield of Rosalia. All three are Republicans.

The District 2 race between incumbent Democrat Pat O’Neill of Johnson and Republican challenger Dean Kinzer of Ewartsville is 15 percent over, with 654 of 4,405 ballots having been returned by Tuesday.

The District 1 race will narrow the field of three Republicans to two for the general. District 2 candidates O’Neill, and Kinzer, will be back on November’s countywide ballot regardless of the primary outcome.

Funding propositions will be on ballots for the towns of Farmington and Garfield; parks and rec districts in Garfield and LaCrosse; fire districts around St. John and Pullman, and the Colfax cemetery district.

All three 9th District legislators will appear on the ballot, though none are opposed. U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers is being challenged by three candidates: Democrat Rich Cowan, Republican Randall Yearout and Independent Ian Moody. Sen. Maria Cantwell has seven challengers as she seeks a third term.

Also on the ballot will be primary elections for several state offices.

Deadline for postmarks on ballots will be the primary election date, Aug. 7. Ballots can also be deposited in election boxes at the Elections office in Colfax or Pullman City Hall.