General Election ballots to be mailed to voters on Oct. 21

Voters can expect to see ballots in their mailbox as early as Oct. 22 for the Nov. 8 General Election. Ballots are mailed on Oct. 21 to voters statewide concerning local, statewide and federal measures.

Locally, the Benge School District has a proposition on the ballot concerning finance maintenance and operation expenses. The replacement levy is for collection in 2017 and 2018 with an approximate collection rate of $2.41 per thousand of assessed valuation.

The Adams County Fire Protection District No. 4 has a proposition on the ballot concerning construction, maintenance and operation of pumper equipment in 2017. The levy is estimated to be collected at $1.35 per thousand in 2016 for a totaling $11,000.

The Adams County Cemetery District No. 2 has a measure on the ballot concerning maintenance and operation in 2017. The levy is estimated to be collected at $0.02 per thousand for a total collection of $20,000.

The Lind Cemetery District No. 3 also has a proposition on the ballot concerning maintenance and operation of the Lind Cemetery for 2017. The levy is estimated to be collected at $0.12 per thousand in 2016 totaling $30,000.

At the county level, incumbent John N. Marshall is running to be re-elected for the position of County Commissioner District 1, which is a four-year term. John W. Hunt is his opponent for the position.

Incumbent Roger L. Hartwig is running for re-election against opponent Kenneth Johnson for the position of County Commissioner District 2 for another four-year term.

Dale J. Wagner is an incumbent running unopposed for the Adam County Sheriff position, which is a two-year unexpired term.

Incumbent Steve Dixon is running unopposed for the Adams County Superior Court Position. The position is a four-year term.

For Legislative District No. 9, incumbent Mark G. Schoesler is running unopposed for the State Senator position for a four-year term.

For the State Representative Position No. 1, incumbent Mary Dye is running for re-election with Jennifer Goulet as her opponent for the two-year term.

Incumbent Joe Schmick is running unopposed for reelection for the State Representative Position No. 2, which is a two-year term.

For U.S. Representative Congressional District No. 4, incumbent Dan Newhouse is running against Clint Didier.

Statewide initiatives on the ballot this year include Initiative Measure No. 1433, which would increase the state minimum wage continually over the next four years.

Initiative Measure No. 2464 deals with campaign finance laws and lobbyists, and creating a more transparent system. The third initiative, Measure No. 1491, focuses on court-issued extreme risk protection to allow firearms in certain circumstances.

Initiatives Measure No. 1501 addresses concerns surrounding seniors and other vulnerable individuals to improve their protection.

This ballot will also include two initiatives to the legislature.

The first initiative is Initiative Measure No. 732 which concerns taxes, and the second initiative, Measure No. 735, concerning a proposed amendment to the federal constitution.

This ballot will include a proposed amendment to the state constitution.

The proposed amendment to the State Constitution is Senate Joint Resolution No. 8210. The legislature has proposed a constitutional amendment on the deadline for completing state legislative and congressional redistricting. The deadline completing the redistricting for state legislative and congressional districts would be Nov. 15 of each year ending in a one. This is 46 days earlier than the current requirement.

As a presidential election, registered voters can cast their vote for the next president of the United States. Additional open election areas includ Washington State Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, Attorney General, Commissioner of Public Lands, Superintendent of Public Institution and Insurance Commissioner.

Supreme Court positions open this year are positions No. 1, No. and No. 6. The Court of Appeals Division 3, District 2 position is also appearing on the ballot.

New Washington voters can register in person at the Adams County Auditor’s Office as late as Oct. 31. Voters can return ballots via mail, or place them in drop box locations in Lind or Ritzville.

An Online Voters Guide is available on the Adams County website, http://co.adams.wa.us, by following the Elections tab.

For more information about the upcoming election, contact the Auditor’s Office at 659-3247 or in person at 210 West Broadway Avenue.