Primary ballots mailed July 16

DAVENPORT— Roughly 8,700 ballots are set to be mailed Wednesday, July 16, for Lincoln County’s upcoming primary election, which will determine the top two candidates in several contested local races.

The August 6 primary includes races for Davenport City Council, Sprague Mayor, and an Odessa hospital board position, as well as a maintenance and operations levy for Odessa Memorial Healthcare Center.

“Washington is a vote-by-mail state, so most can and will vote by mail,” said Lincoln County Elections Manager Norm Caley.

Ballots can be returned by mail or dropped off at three official locations: the Lincoln County Auditor’s Office lobby, the Harrington Public Library located at 11 South 3rd Street, and the drop box on the south side of the courthouse’s east parking lot. The courthouse is located at 450 Logan Street.

Voters with disabilities can access a disability access unit at the auditor’s office that reads the ballot aloud, adjusts font size, and offers additional support.

“Although most people have people they live with that can read to them,” Caley said, “we do have tools here to help.”

While approximately 8,700 ballots are going out, Caley said that figure is subject to change.

“I would be happy with 40% turnout in the primary,” he said. “Most of the county is voting for stuff like the prosecutor, and he is unopposed. I don’t expect a high return on that.”

Contested races on the primary ballot include:

Davenport City Council Position No. 1: Libbie Klettke, Daniel Coriell, and Michael Strite

City of Sprague Mayor: Scooter Dearing, Trace De Garmo, and Lucas Becker

Hospital District 1 (Odessa) Commissioner Position No. 4: Dee Deife, Marlon K. Schafer, and Barbara A. Vogelsang

The top two vote-getters in each contested race will advance to the general election.

Odessa voters will also decide on a hospital levy renewal.

“They normally run it every February, but they decided to wait this year,” Caley said. “They’re always hoping the voters in that area keep voting for that levy to keep them open.”

Certification of the primary results is scheduled for Monday, August 19.

Ballots must be placed in an official drop box or postmarked by Election Day, Tuesday, August 6, to be counted.

Author Bio

Olivia Harnack, Managing Editor

Olivia Harnack is the award-winning managing editor/photographer/videographer/columnist at the Lincoln County Record-Times, with offices in both Davenport and Odessa, Wash. She is a University of Idaho graduate and a U.S. Army National Guardsman.