Speedy voters return early ballots for Aug. 17 election
July 30, 2010
NEW — 5 p.m. July 30, 2010
Early voters had returned more than 1,000 ballots by Friday for the all-mail primary election.
King County Elections mailed ballots to voters Wednesday — some people returned the ballots on the same day they received them.
“We have already received about 1,500 ballots back to elections,” Elections Director Sherril Huff said in a news release. “We are projecting a total county return of about 45 percent for this election.”
Ballots must be postmarked by Aug. 17, or dropped into a drop box by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Find drop box locations here. Track ballots online at the office’s website.
The early returns mean a greater percentage of ballots can be counted for the initial results report on election night.
Newcomer, old foe challenge Rep. Glenn Anderson
July 27, 2010
Issaquah and other 5th Legislative District voters must narrow the field of state House of Representatives candidates from three to two in the Aug. 17 primary election. The top vote-getters advance to the November general election.
The race comes as a rematch of sorts for the incumbent, Glenn Anderson, and his 2008 opponent, David Spring. But newcomer Dean Willard hopes to clinch the GOP-held seat for the Democrats.
Glenn Anderson
Glenn Anderson
To understand just how much Democrats yearn to topple Anderson, rewind to the campaign kickoff for Willard.
In a clip immortalized on YouTube, state Rep. Geoff Simpson said “there is no one in the Legislature who is more despised by Democrats” than Anderson.
But Anderson, a Fall City Republican first elected to a 5th District seat a decade ago, shrugged off the partisan jab.
“I wish I had that kind of power,” he cracked.
Incumbents earn high marks in Municipal League ratings
July 27, 2010
Issaquah residents face some good choices — and a few not-so-good options — in the primary election next month. Or so the Municipal League of King County has decided.
For the most part, Issaquah-area lawmakers fared better than the challengers campaigning against them in August and November. The league released the ratings July 19.
The league ranks candidates through a rigorous process during each election cycle. The ratings provide a tool for voters — plus fodder for candidates’ campaign mailers and websites.
Evaluators scrutinize candidate records, talk to references, review candidate questionnaires and interview the electoral hopefuls. The league rates candidates on four criteria: involvement, character, effectiveness and knowledge. Candidates then receive a grade ranging from the coveted outstanding to the less-desirable not qualified.
King County Elections mails ballots to voters
July 27, 2010
NEW — 3:35 p.m. July 27, 2010
King County Elections has mailed 1.1 ballots to registered voters for the Aug. 17 primary election.
“Voting begins the day you get your ballot in the mail” Elections Director Sherril Huff said in a news release. “Ballots must be returned no later than Election Day on Aug. 17, and our office is here to help, so be an informed voter and visit us online, call or stop by to get your questions answered.”
Ballots can be returned by mail through the U.S. Postal Service. Ballots require a first-class stamp and must be postmarked by Aug. 17. Track ballots online at the office’s website.
Candidates vie to represent 41st District in state House
July 20, 2010
Three candidates will vie for a 41st District House of Representatives seat in the coming primary election, including the incumbent, Judy Clibborn. Issaquah and other 41st District voters will narrow the field to two candidates in the Aug. 17 primary election. Read more
Incumbents earn high marks in Municipal League election rankings
July 20, 2010
NEW — 11 a.m. July 20, 2010
Issaquah residents face some good choices — and a few not-so-good options — in the primary election next month. Or so the Municipal League of King County has decided.
For the most part, Issaquah-area lawmakers fared better than the challengers campaigning against them in August and November.
The league ranks candidates through a rigorous process during each election cycle. The annual rankings provide a tool for voters — plus fodder for candidates’ campaign mailers and websites.
Evaluators scrutinize candidate records, talk to references, review candidate questionnaires and interview the electoral hopefuls. The league rates candidates on four criteria: involvement, character, effectiveness and knowledge. Candidates then receive a grade ranging from the coveted outstanding to the less-desirable not qualified.
Register to vote by July 19
July 13, 2010
In order to cast a ballot in the Aug. 17 primary election, King County residents must register to vote by July 19.
Registered voters with outdated information must also update their information by the deadline.
In order to register as a Washington voter, a person must be a U.S. citizen, a Washington resident, at least 18 by Election Day and not under the authority of the state Department of Corrections.
Voters do not have to register by political party or declare political party membership to vote in primary or general elections.
Find a full list of requirements and registration forms at the King County Elections website.
Issaquah voters will narrow the field in legislative, congressional and judicial races in the Aug. 17 primary.
Voters will winnow the contenders in each race — regardless of party affiliation — to two candidates. The top candidates advance to the November general election.
Register to vote by July 19 to participate in August primary
July 12, 2010
UPDATED — 2 p.m. July 15, 2010
In order to cast a ballot in the Aug. 17 primary election, King County residents must register to vote by July 19.
Registered voters with outdated addresses must also update their information by the deadline.
In order to register as a Washington voter, a person must be a U.S. citizen, a Washington resident, at least 18 by Election Day and not under the authority of the state Department of Corrections.
Voters do not have to register by political party or declare political party membership in order to vote in primary or general elections.
Find a full list of requirements and registration forms at the King County Elections website.
“Registering to vote is easy,” county Elections Director Sherril Huff said in a news release. “We have detailed information on the Elections website and our staff is here to help you in person or over the phone. If you are eligible to vote and haven’t yet registered, there’s still time to make sure you can participate in the next election.”
Issaquah attorney enters race for judge
July 6, 2010
Issaquah attorney John L. O’Brien plans to challenge appointed District Court Judge Michael Finkle in the race to be judge in the Northeast Division of King County District Court, candidate filing records show.
The division includes Issaquah, Sammamish, Bellevue, Redmond, Woodinville and parts of unincorporated King County.
Voters will cast ballots in the race in the Aug. 17 primary election.
King County Council members appointed Finkle to the bench Feb. 22. The council created the position last year to address increasing District Court caseloads.
The court — the largest court of limited jurisdiction in the state — has responsibility for traffic infractions, certain civil matters and misdemeanor criminal offenses in unincorporated King County, contract cities and for the adjudication of state offenses — violations of state statute in the county or when the arresting agency is the Washington State Patrol or another state law enforcement agency.
District Court caseloads have increased each year since 2003; officials expect the caseload to increase further through 2011. Because of the increase in cases, the state Administrative Office of the Court — tasked with advising the Legislature about the number of judicial positions needed in each county — recommended for the number of King County District Court judges to be increased.
Republican candidates convene in Issaquah for campaign boot camp
June 29, 2010
Political candidates convened in Issaquah last week to learn how to be better campaigners and, perhaps someday soon, lawmakers.
The right-of-center Jennifer Dunn Leadership Institute recruits and readies potential candidates for office. The institute, a three-day course held through June 26 at the Issaquah Hilton Garden Inn, included Republican up-and-comers seeking state Senate and House of Representatives seats.
Think of the session as summer school for candidates, with the first test set for the Aug. 17 primary.
In addition to policy primers, the 23-member class took in lessons about government institutions, the political process and how to communicate to voters and journalists.
Instructors included state Rep. Kevin Parker, a popular Spokane Republican; staffers from the Washington Policy Center, a Seattle-based think tank; and Troy Nichols, policy director for the House GOP caucus.
Washington Democrats run a similar boot camp for candidates, the Institute for a Democratic Future.
