Ballots have been mailed

RITZVILLE - Ballots have been mailed for the August 3 Primary Election. If you did not receive an Adams County Voters' Pamphlet in the mail, you can pick one up in the Adams County elections office at 106 W Main or the Adams County Courthouse at 210 W Broadway.

To vote in the Primary Election, voter registrations must be received by Monday, July 26; either online or via U.S. mail. After July 26, people can register or update their registration in person at the county election office during business hours and until 8 p.m. on August 3.

The only races appearing on the August primary ballot, other than specific measures, are races with three or more candidates. Races with just one or two candidates automatically move to November and won't be on this ballot.

In Ritzville, offices up for election include a 2-year unexpired term for mayor. The previously elected mayor, Gary Cook, resigned March 31, and city council members selected former Mayor Linda Kadlec to serve as interim mayor the following day, April 1.

Running for the 2-year unexpired term, along with Kadlec, are city council member Dennis R. Chamberlain; and Glen R. Stockwell.

Ritzville voters are asked to decide on a 2-year council at large position currently held by Mark Weigand. Running for the position, against Weigand, are Charles Jingling, Dan Peters and Marsha Reimers Smith.

In Lind, voters are asked to decide to fill the seat for Town Council Position No. 2, a 4-year term. Running for the position are current council member Kathy Vedder; and Mike J. Wold and Sheri Marlin.

Lind voters will also decide on Council Position No. 3, a 4-year term. Current councilman Richard Baldwin is running for the seat, along with Laura Dew and Whisper Casady.

In Ritzville, voters will be deciding on a one-year maintenance and operation levy for the Ritzville Water Park, with Adams County Park and Recreation District No. 4. Voters are asked to approve a special property tax levy of $150,000, an estimated $0.38 per one thousand dollars of assessed valuation in 2021.

Voters in Othello are asked to vote on a maintenance and operation one-year levy of $200,000, an estimated $0.15 per one thousand dollars of assessed valuation in 2021, for Adams County Park and Recreation District No. 1.

Lind voters will be voting on a one-year maintenance and operation levy for Adams County Park and Recreation District No. 3, at $.021 per $1,000 of assessed property valuation.

Adams County Cemetery District No. 1 (Washtucna) and No. 3 (Lind) are asking for one-year maintenance and operations levies. Washtucna voters will decide on a levy with an estimated $0.19 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. Lind voters are asked to decide on a levy with an estimated $0.17 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.

Ballots must be returned or postmarked no later than August 3.

There is a ballot drop box in the Adams County Auditor's Office, on the second floor of the Adams County Courthouse at 210 W. Broadway Avenue, Suite 200, in Ritzville.

Secure ballot drop boxes accessible 24 hours a day are located at Ritzville City Hall, 216 E. Main, Washtucna Town Hall at 165 S. Main Street, Washtucna; Lind Town Hall, 1161/2 W. 2nd St., Lind; and Adams County Public Services Building, 425 E. Main, Othello.

Remember to sign your ballot with the signature you have on file with the Adams County Auditor's office. Registered voters can visit VoteWA.gov to access their personal voting information.

"Please vote and return your ballot as soon as possible," Adams County Auditor Heidi Hunt said. "If you are unable to mail your ballot the week before Election Day, I recommend that you take the ballot inside the Post Office and ask staff to hand-cancel the ballot before placing it in a mailbox, or that you use one of our ballot drop boxes to deliver it directly to Adams County Elections."

Hunt said ballot status can be checked at http://www.votewa.gov.

"If you need additional information, please call us at 509 659 3249," Hunt said. "The Adams County Auditor's Office is available to answer your questions and assist you with your election needs. We work hard to provide secure, accountable and transparent elections."