Local elections underway

If only the candidates vote in this year’s town council election, they will win. Running unopposed are incumbents John Leaver, Council Position 2, Bill Stokes, Council Position 3 and Mary Lee Chamberlain, Council Position 4.

Once the La Conner School District directors vote, they, too, win. Running without opposition are Brad Smith, Director District 3, Lynette Cram, Director District 4 and John Thulen, Director District 5.

The same is true for Fire District 12 and 13 commissioner positions. Doug Peterson is running unopposed for Commissioner Position 2, Fire District 12. So are Fire District 13’s Bruce Shellhamer, Commissioner Position 1 and Larry Kibbee, Commissioner Position 2.

Likewise, Curtis Buher has no opposition in Cemetery District 1 for the Commissioner Position 3.

Port of Skagit Commissioner Steven Omdal, in Position 2, is running unopposed.

The only contested local election is the Port of Anacortes Commissioner Position 2, where Jon Petrich is challenging incumbent Bill Short. District 2 is Fidalgo Island east of where Highway 20 splits to go to Anacortes: precincts are Swinomish, Snee Oosh, Shelter Bay, Bay View, Padilla, and March Point.

There are three statewide advisory votes: Advisory Vote No. 16, on Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1597; Advisory Vote No. 17, on Engrossed House Bill 2163; and Advisory Vote No. 18 on Engrossed House Bill 2242 Advisory votes are non-binding. The results will not change the law.

Balloting began October 18. The La Conner drop-box is at the La Conner Regional Library, 614 E. Morris Street. The Swinomish drop-box is at the Social Services Building (in front of building), 17337 Reservation Road. They are open 24 hours a day until 8 p.m. election night. No postage is needed for drop boxes. Mailed ballots require first class postage.

Oct. 30 is the last day for new registrations to vote for people not currently registered in Washington State. Register at the County Auditor’s office in Mount Vernon.

For more information, get the general election online voters’ pamphlet from the county auditor: https://wei.sos.wa.gov/county/skagit/en/Pages/Voters%27%20Pamphlet.aspx

The League of Women Voters of Skagit County’s link lists local elected offices: http://www.lwvwa.org/skagit/try.html