If you are planning to vote in the primary election, you have one more day to get your ballot in the mail if you haven’t already done so. And it seems there are plenty of you out there; the overall ballot return rate as of Monday morning was only 26 percent, according to the Lewis County Auditor’s Office.
The race generating the highest interest in Lewis County in this year’s Primary Election is the Fire District No. 10 Emergency Medical Services Levy in Packwood. If passed, the levy would add a 25 cents or less per $1,000 tax on assessed property for six years beginning in 2012, according to the Online Voters Guide. The measure has generated a 48 percent ballot return rate so far.
The lowest return rate in the county is the Winlock City Council race, where two council seats are being fought over by three candidates each. The rate of ballot return in Winlock is 21 percent.
In the Hub City, both the city and Port of Centralia have generated 23 percent return rates, according to the Auditor’s Office. Only voters living within Centralia Port District 3 will have the opportunity to vote for port commissioner. Newcomers Gabe Anzelini, Leon Brower and Sheila Gray are hoping to unseat incumbent City Councilor Harlan Thompson from his Council Position 3 at-large position. The top two winners in the Primary Election will advance to the General Election.
To be counted, ballots must be postmarked by the U.S. Post Office by close of business Tuesday. Post office hours vary, however; County Elections Supervisor Mariann Zumbuhl recommends contacting your local post office to find out when ballots must be dropped off for them to be properly postmarked. Ballots can also be dropped off at the lone county voter drop box at the County Courthouse at 351 N.W. North St., Chehalis by 8 p.m.
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Lee Hughes: (360) 807-8239
