As the primary election approaches on August 5, voters in Whatcom and Skagit counties should be aware that not all registered voters will receive a ballot in the mail, a situation dictated by precinct-specific decisions rather than an error.
In Whatcom County, residents outside of Bellingham city limits will have the opportunity to vote on the Whatcom County Library System levy lid lift, among other local measures and offices, depending on their specific precinct. However, about 30,000 registered voters within certain parts of Bellingham will not receive a ballot this year due to the absence of primary races in their respective precincts.
In contrast, Skagit County’s primary ballot features only contested races for public office, meaning approximately 19,000 voters—predominantly from areas like La Conner and Anacortes—will also find themselves without a ballot to cast in this election.
As of Thursday, participation rates show that 15% of ballots have been returned in Whatcom County, with Skagit County slightly behind at 12%. Voters can verify the status of their ballots and check their eligibility to vote by visiting VoteWA.gov.
For those planning to vote, information regarding ballot drop box locations can be found on both the Whatcom and Skagit County websites. These locations will remain open until 8 p.m. on Election Day, and voters can still register and cast their votes in person up until that time. Mailed ballots must be postmarked by August 5 to be counted.
Voters in contested primary races should take note that only the top two candidates receiving the most votes will advance to the general election scheduled for November 4.
For ongoing updates and thorough coverage of local races and ballot measures, readers are encouraged to visit the Cascadia Daily News website.
Engaging in the electoral process is vital for community representation, and even though some voters may not receive ballots, it’s a reminder of the importance of understanding local election dynamics.