Primary election voting opens, ballots mailed

August 2 primary ballots should be arriving to people’s mailboxes any day, now that Whatcom County Auditor’s Office mailed ballots July 13. A wide range of offices are up for vote including the state 42nd legislative district positions and U.S. Congress representatives. The top two candidates from each race will go on to the November 8 general election.

Below are the positions up for a vote:

• U.S. Senator – 17 candidates are challenging incumbent Patty Murray for the seat.

• U.S. Representative – Nine candidates are challenging incumbent Rick Larsen for the 2nd Congressional District seat. North Whatcom County is now included in the 2nd Congressional District.

• Washington Secretary of State – Seven candidates are challenging Steve Hobbs for the position.

• 42nd legislative district state senator – Sharon Shewmake and Ben Elenbaas are challenging Simon Sefzik for the seat.

• 42nd Legislative District state representative position 1 – Kamal Bhachu and Tawsha Thompson are challenging Alicia Rule for the seat.

• 42nd Legislative District state representative position 2 – Kyle Christensen, Joe Timmons, Richard May and Dan Johnson are running for the seat.

• Whatcom County District Court Judge position 2 – Jonathan Rands, Gordon Jenkins and David Nelson are running for the position.

Voters should contact the auditor’s office if they haven’t received a ballot by Wednesday, July 20, according to the voter pamphlet. The top reasons why ballots weren’t counted in last year’s primary were because of problems with the signature on the ballot’s envelope and ballots being returned late.

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, August 2. The nearest drop boxes 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 August 2.

Voter registration and address changes made online and by mail need to be received at the county auditor’s office by Monday, July 25. After that, people must register to vote or make changes at the auditor’s office until 8 p.m. on Election Day.

The auditor’s office will hold a 2022 elections open house on Friday, July 29 for the public to tour the election center, observe security measures, watch ballot processing and ask questions. To reserve a time slot, people are asked to call Kellye Conner at 360/778-5108 or email kconner@co.whatcom.wa.us. Election officials will give tours 10-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m.

The auditor’s office is open to in-person visits from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. July 13 to Monday, August 1 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/3nMdCjN.