Primary election ballots on the way to Spokane County residents

SPOKANE, Wash. - The Washington primary elections are less than three weeks away on August 6.

Officials with the Spokane County Elections office mailed out around 180 thousand primary ballots Wednesday with another 180 thousand expected to be mailed out Thursday.

"Mark them clearly if you do have to make a correction, there's instructions on the ballot to make a correction," said Spokane County Elections manager Mike McLaughlin. "Remember, you don't have to vote for every contest or race on the ballot and remember to sign your envelope and return it."

This week, people should have also received a voter pamphlet in the mail that has information on all of the candidates and local levies.

Ballot drop-off boxes are now officially open.

The last day to register to vote in the primaries by mail is Monday, July 29. August 6, by 8 p.m. is the deadline to register in person.

With primaries getting closer, there's been an increase in candidate campaigning efforts. But what does voter turnout in the primaries look like here in Spokane?

"Looking back at past years, the primaries have been anywhere from 36 percent to 50 percent," said McLaughlin. "It'll just depend a lot on how much advertising and word of mouth gets out there. How interested people are in the election. We're estimating the 42 to 48 percent turnout."

McLaughlin said they usually see between a 72% and 80% voter turnout in the general elections.

Washington state in general sees a lower voter turnout during the primaries. A political science professor who has been teaching at Gonzaga for over 50 years has an indication why this might be.

"One is the timing of it," professor Dr. Blaine Garvin said. "Public attention hasn't been so much focused on the races. Candidates haven't spent a lot of money on advertising. That's just the beginning."

Dr. Garvin said the primaries narrow candidates down to the more serious ones who can then square off in a more meaningful contest.

If you don't receive your ballot in the mail by Tuesday, call the Spokane County Elections office at 509-477-2320.

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