The Lewis County Auditor’s Office will mail military and overseas ballots this week ahead of the February special election.
According to the auditor’s office, 368 ballots will be mailed on Jan. 12, 30 days prior to the Feb. 13 special election. The remainder of the ballots will be mailed to registered voters on Jan. 24.
The additional time allows registered voters who reside overseas to receive their ballot, inform themselves on the candidates and issues, and return it in a timely manner.
The special election includes 11 school districts and local municipalities looking to pass capital bonds or levies. These include:
• The Boistfort School District. The replacement educational programs and operations levy would raise $250,000 in 2025 and 2026. The district estimates the levy would cost $1.02 per $1,000 in assessed value.
• The Castle Rock School District. The capital projects levy would raise $830,000 in 2025, 2026 and 2027. The district estimates the levy would cost $.44 in 2025, $.42 in 2026 and $.41 in 2027 per $1,000 in assessed value.
• The Centralia School District. The replacement educational programs and operations levy would raise $6,200,000 in 2025 and 2026. The district estimates the levy would cost $1.15 in 2025 and 2026.
• The Chehalis School District. The replacement levy for educational programs and operations would raise $6,965,000 in 2025, $7,131,250 in 2026, $7,605,780 in 2027 and $7,833,953 in 2028. The district estimates the levy would cost $1.97 in 2025, $1.95 in 2026, $1.94 in 2027 and $1.92 in 2028 per $1,000 in assessed value.
• The Eatonville School District. The replacement educational programs and operations levy would raise $6,273,767 in 2025, $6,581,917 in 2026, $6,905,475 in 2027 and $7,245,211 in 2028. The district estimates the levy could cost $2.05 per $1,000 in assessed value.
• Additionally, the Eatonville School District hopes to pass a capital projects levy. The levy would raise $1,376,940 in 2025, $1,444,583 in 2026, $1,515,608 in 2027, $1,590,184 in 2028, $1,668,489 in 2029 and $1,750,709 in 2030. The district estimates the levy would cost $.45 per $1,000 in assessed value.
• The Morton School District. The replacement educational programs and operations levy would raise $1,250,000 in 2025, $1,385,000 in 2026, $1,520,000 in 2027 and $1,655,000 in 2028. The district estimates the levy would cost $1.59 in 2025, $1.69 in 2026, $1.78 in 2027 and $1.87 in 2028 per $1,000 in assessed value.
• Additionally, the Morton School District hopes to pass a construction bond, which would raise $14 million through bonds that mature within 21 years.
• The Oakville School District. The replacement educational programs and operations levy would raise $803,704 in 2025, $884,074 in 2026, $972,482 in 2027 and $1,069,730 in 2028. The district estimates the cost would be $2.15 per $1,000 in assessed value.
• Additionally, the Oakville School District would like to pass a construction bond to renovate and improve school facilities. If passed, the bond would raise $1.9 million with bonds that mature within 20 years.
• The Rochester School District. The district hopes to pass an educational programs and operations replacement levy, which would raise $5,513,424 in 2025, $5,886,159 in 2026, $6,189,745 in 2027 and $6,400,128 in 2028. If passed, the district estimates the levy would cost $2.50 per $1,000 in assessed value.
• Additionally, the district hopes to pass an $89 million bond, which would mature within 21 years.
• The Toledo School District. The replacement educational programs and operations levy would raise $1,640,000 in 2025, $1,780,000 in 2026 and $1,930,000 in 2027. The district estimates the levy would cost $1.34 per $1,000 in assessed value.
• Lewis County Fire District No. 2. The property tax levy would establish the regular property tax levy rate at $1.25 per $1,000 in assessed value to be assessed in 2024, and collected in 2025.
In Washington state, levies need a simple majority of voters to pass, while bonds require 60% approval.
For overseas and military ballots, the signature on the ballot declaration must be dated by election day, and must be returned to the auditor’s office at least one day before the election certification. Ballots can also be returned via fax or email, and must be received by 8 p.m. on election day.
Voters can check their voter registration status and voter registration address and register to vote online at www.votewa.gov.
