General election voting opens, ballots mailed

Whatcom County residents should be receiving their November 8 general election ballots any day, now that Whatcom County Auditor’s Office mailed ballots October 19. A wide range of measures and offices are up for a vote, including Proposition 5, state 42nd Legislative District positions and U.S. Congress representatives.

Below are the measures and positions up for a vote:

• Statewide Advisory Vote No. 39 – Tax on aircraft fuel increased from 11 cents to 18 cents per gallon, costing $14 million in its first 10 years, for government spending.

• Statewide Advisory Vote No. 40 – Premiums on “transportation network companies” to provide workers compensation to their drivers.

• Whatcom County Proposition 5; Children’s Initiative Levy Lid Lift – Authorize county to increase property taxes by 19 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation for ten consecutive years to fund early learning programs, childcare, and support homeless or otherwise vulnerable children.

• Whatcom County Proposition 6; Regular Property Tax Levy for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) – Authorize county to continue to impose a regular property tax levy of 29.5 cents or less per $1,000 of assessed valuation for each of the six consecutive years.

• U.S. Senator – Incumbent Patty Murray running against Tiffany Smiley.

• U.S. Representative – Incumbent Rick Larsen running against Dan Matthews.

• Secretary of State – Julie Anderson is challenging incumbent Steve Hobbs.

• 42nd Legislative District state Senator – Sharon Shewmake is challenging appointed incumbent Simon Sefzik.

• 42nd Legislative District state representative position 1 – Incumbent Alicia Rule running against Tawsha (Dykstra) Thompson.

• 42nd Legislative District state representative position 2 – Joe Timmons running against Dan Johnson.

•  Washington Supreme Court – Mary I. Yu, Barbara Madsen and G Helen Whitener run unopposed for justice positions 1, 5 and 6.

• Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney – Incumbent Eric Richey runs unopposed.

• Whatcom County District Court judge position 1 – Incumbent Angela Anderson runs unopposed.

• Whatcom County District Court judge position 2 – Jonathan Rands and Gordon M. Jenkins run against each other.

• Public Utility District No. 1 commissioner district 3 – Jaime Arnett running against Eric Davidson.

Voter registration forms that are mailed or completed online must be received by Monday, October 31, according to the voter pamphlet. After October 31, visit an elections office or voting center during regular business hours or until 8 p.m. on Election Day to register to vote or update your registration and receive a ballot.

Registered voters should contact the auditor’s office if they haven’t received a ballot by Wednesday, October 26.

Voters have less than a month after receiving their ballots to return them by mail or to one of 21 ballot drop boxes in the county. No stamp is needed for ballots returned by mail and ballots must be postmarked by Tuesday, November 8.

The nearest drop box for Blaine, Birch Bay and Custer residents are Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street; North Whatcom Fire and Rescue, 4581 Birch Bay-Lynden Road; and Custer Elementary School, 7660 Custer School Road. Drop boxes close at 8 p.m. on November 8.

The auditor’s office is open to in-person visits from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. October 19 to Monday, November 7 and from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. Although the office accepts walk-ins, people are asked to call or email ahead.

Whatcom County Auditor’s Office is in suite 103 in the Whatcom County Courthouse, 311 Grand Avenue. To contact the auditor’s office, call 360/788-5102 or email elections@co.whatcom.wa.us.

More information including ballot processing webcams, the voter pamphlet and voter guide are available on the county auditor’s website at bit.ly/3MGQX3T.