Ballots due today for primary election

Nearly four of five voters in Spokane County had not turned in their primary ballots as of Monday. That’s not very good, but it is a bit better than the statewide average, which was below 15 percent.

Readers who just asked themselves “What primary ballot?” should consider two possible answers.

One is that you may live in an area that does not have a contested primary race or ballot measure. Races with two or fewer candidates aren’t on the ballot, and many of the municipal races outside the city of Spokane don’t have a primary.

Spokane: The city of Spokane has a primary for mayor and for all three of its council positions, and has ballot items on the mayor’s salary and municipal court.

Spokane Valley: The city of Spokane Valley does not have primary races, but the Valley’s Library Capital Facilities Area has a $22 million bond issue.

9th District: The 9th Legislative District, which includes southern portions of Spokane County, as well as Adams, Asotin, Garfield and Whitman counties, and part of Franklin County, has a primary for a state House seat.

Spokane Public Schools: Spokane’s largest school district has a primary for a director’s seat.

Fire District 8: Fire District 8 has a maintenance and operation levy.

In all, more than 210,000 ballots were mailed to voters in Spokane County.

Ballots are due today. You can mark your ballot and mail it back or save a stamp by putting it in a drop box by 8 p.m. If mailing your ballot back, take it to a post office to make sure it is postmarked today.

If you think you should have a ballot but can’t find it, you can get a replacement ballot today by going to a Voter Service Center.

To find the nearest service center or drop box location, go online to www.spokesman.com/blogs/spincontrol or call the county elections office. In Spokane County, that’s (509) 477-2320.