Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887
Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887
Candidates and write-ins have 14 votes each
HATTON – Four candidates ran unopposed for town offices in the Nov. 7 general election.
So far, none of the candidates received a majority of the votes, thanks to a write-in insurgency.
As of Monday afternoon, Nov. 13, Rhea Isaac had 14 votes in her bid for mayor; a write-in candidate had 14.
That race was mirrored across the board with Barbara Pence receiving 14 votes for council position No. 2, Eric Rawson for Position No. 4 and Linda Anderson for Position No. 5, and write-in candidates matching them.
The candidates, however, are likely to win their seats, as none of the write-ins were “declared” candidates.
“So, they don’t count,” Adams County Elections Administrator Jacque Laird said.
The names of the write-ins candidates have yet to be released as the election tally is ongoing.
Interestingly, it’s the second time in the last three years that write-in candidates have had a strong showing.
Isaac won her seat on the town council as a declared write-in for Position No. 1 in the Nov. 9, 2021, general election. Others riding the 2021 write-in wave included Justine Pherigo and Ignacio Mendoza; they, too, were declared write-ins.
In the nearby Franklin County city of Kahlotus, a write-in is leading in the race for the At-Large Town Council Position No. 6.
There, a write-in candidate is leading Shirley L. Ayers.
Unofficial returns show the write-in candidate has 17 votes and Ayers has received 13.
Elections will become official after certification Nov. 28.
As of press time, Adams County was reporting a voter turnout of 30.92%
Roger Harnack is owner/publisher of Free Press Publishing. An award-winning journalist, photographer, editor and publisher who grew up in Eastern Washington, he's one of only two Washington state journalists ever to receive the international Golden Quill for editorial/commentary writing. Roger is committed to preserving local media, and along with it, a local voice for Eastern Washington.
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