Notice to voters

The ballots for the November 3 election may be different than what you expect. In fact, some voters might be confused.

First, the contested race between Martin Marler and Sandra Brabb for Whitman Hospital and Medical Center hospital district was not on those ballots for voters in the hospital district. A special ballot should be received shortly. The idea is that voters are to complete the first ballot on all issues and then do the second ballot which will contain only the hospital race. The elections office requests that these two ballots be mailed separately. The postage costs for the second ballot will be paid for by the elections office. Interestingly, it was Martin Marler himself who pointed out the error to the elections office.

Second, the contested Pullman city council race between Francis Benjamin and Ann Parks was not completely mailed due to some confusion over precinct boundaries. Some voters in that ward will get late ballots. The missing ballots in this case amount to less than 20.

Third, Pam Wright is running unopposed for a Pullman city council seat. She is the sole candidate, but she was not on the ballot. Some hundreds of ballots will be sent to voters in that ward. At first it was estimated that 800 ballots would have to be resent. That number has since been reduced.

Voters in the Pullman wards affected will receive second ballots. These are to be considered as full and complete. Those in the hospital district will receive supplemental ballots with only the one race listed.

The details are in the story on Page 1.

County Auditor Eunice Coker, who is in charge of elections, has some explanations for the errors. She is quoted in the story.

We can hope that more explanations and a plan to avoid these problems will come soon.

However, at this point, the most important thing is to get the voters the correct information and ballots so that they can exercise their right to vote.

Still confused? Call Eunice Coker.

Gordon Forgey,

Publisher