Ballots for the Aug. 16 primary are in the mail, and should be showing up in the boxes of registered voters this week. Spokane County officials said they were sending out some 200,000 to voters around the county.

But not every voter will get a ballot because not every city, town or political district has a race with enough candidates to require a primary.

For example, the 4th District State Senate race is not on the ballot, even though it features two Republicans, incumbent Jeff Baxter and former state Rep. Mike Padden. Because primaries are no longer partisan, and because they are the only two candidates to file for the seat, the race will be decided in the Nov. 8 general election.

The City of Spokane has a primary for mayor and council president, but only voters in the city's northeast 1st District have a primary for in a council race. Only one Spokane Valley council race has enoung candidates to warrant a primary.

Ballots can be mailed back by Election Day (be sure to put a stamp on the envelope) or deposited without a stamp in a drop-off box at public libraries and other sites around the county. For a list of sites, click here.

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