Voters heading to the polls for Tuesday’s primary election may be surprised that there’s not much on their ballots.
With no countywide or statewide matters to settle, many ballots contain only a few items.
What is being decided ranges from school bonds in Marysville, to mosquito abatement on Camano Island, to narrowing choices for city and county leaders.
Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.
About 125,000 registered voters are eligible to go to the polls in Snohomish County, while another 200,000 received mail-in ballots. County Auditor Bob Terwilliger predicted fewer than 40 percent of registered voters will vote on Tuesday.
Thousands more voters in Everett, Mukilteo and Woodway are sitting this one out because there is nothing for them to act on. Each one received a postcard explaining why, with a reminder that they will be taking part in the Nov. 8 general election.
Those who go to the polls will, for the first time, be required to show valid identification before receiving a ballot. They can show an ID with a photograph, such as a driver’s license or passport, or without one, such as a utility bill or paycheck. Those with no identification will be given a provisional ballot.
Also this election, voters in some areas of Snohomish County will need to pick a political party before they can cast a ballot. This is the same situation as the 2004 primary and affects only those voting in partisan races.
Among the important contests are those that will determine the Democratic opponents for two incumbent Republican County Council members.
Former County Councilman Dave Somers and Steve Hobbs will square off in the Democratic primary in District 5. The winner moves on to face Councilman Jeff Sax, who is seeking a second term, and independent candidate Greg Stephens.
Somers, who was unseated by Sax four years ago, counts among his endorsements that of the county Democratic Party and state Rep. Hans Dunshee of Snohomish. Hobbs, who lost a bid for state office in 1994, is backed by County Executive Aaron Reardon and Snohomish Mayor Liz Loomis.
In District 1, Democratic Party loyalist Marian Harrison and organic farmer Suzanne Smith are competing. The winner will meet Councilman John Koster, who also is seeking a second term.
Harrison, who received the county Democratic Party’s endorsement at caucuses earlier this year, is a retired school employee. Smith is a former Marysville City Council member.
Marysville voters will once again consider a major school construction bond. For the second time this year, the Marysville School District is seeking approval of a $171 million bond. In May, the same measure came up 154 votes short of the 60 percent supermajority needed for passage.
The bulk of the money would build a new high school and elementary school, modernize Marysville-Pilchuck High School, replace Cascade and Liberty elementary schools, and buy land for future growth.
If passed, it would cost property owners $1.32 per $1,000 of assessed value, or about $264 a year on a $200,000 home.
Lynnwood residents will decide the initial round in a fight for mayor that features three elected leaders.
Incumbent Mayor Mike McKinnon is being challenged by two councilmen with whom he’s had an adversarial relationship, 18-year veteran Jim Smith and 10-year veteran Don Gough. This is Smith’s third try for the job and Gough’s second. Newcomer Bill Vance rounds out the field.
The top two vote-getters advance to the general election.
One Lynnwood City Council race is contested, with incumbent Martin Nelson running against Mark Smith and Craig Spicer.
In Snohomish, where ardent philosophical differences have defined the city’s politics of late, residents have four City Council races on the ballot. But the most closely watched is the contest pitting Mayor Liz Loomis against Councilman Doug Thorndike and driving school owner Bridget Fawcett Johns.
Thorndyke chose not to seek re-election to the council so he could challenge Loomis. The two have often been at odds on growth-related issues.
Gold Bar residents, who have endured a number of political clashes in recent months, will narrow the field in one City Council race, and that decision may be an indicator of whether they desire new leadership.
City Councilman Paul Price is seeking re-election. Two recognized community members are taking him on – former Councilwoman Dorothy Croshaw and Joan Marie Amenn.
Amenn led an attempted recall of Mayor Colleen Hawkins. She is the wife of City Council member Robert Amenn, who is running for mayor in the November election.
Edmonds City Council members Michael Plunkett and Jeff Wilson are seeking re-election, and the hot issue of building height limits is spicing up their races.
Lora Petso, a former councilwoman, and restaurant owner Strom Peterson are taking on Plunkett, while council watchdog Ron Wambolt and newcomer Bart Preecs are battling Wilson.
The council has spent nearly two years debating a plan to allow 33-foot buildings downtown. The current maximum is 25 feet, with an extra 5 feet for pitched-roof designs. Plunkett, Petso and Wambolt oppose the higher limit, while Peterson, Wilson and Preecs support it.
Mountlake Terrace voters will consider candidates for two council seats, and in Bothell three residents are vying for an open seat.
Leaders of three county fire districts are seeking voter approval of levies.
South Snohomish County residents served by Fire District 1 will be asked to approve a property tax increase to maintain emergency medical services at current levels.
Snohomish residents in County Fire District 4 are being asked to raise the cap on the fire service levy from $1.19 to $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed value.
Sultan residents served by Fire District 5 are considering a request to increase their fire levy from 75.5 cents to $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed value.
In Island County, where the election is being conducted with mail ballots, there are primary face-offs for seats on the Coupeville and Oak Harbor school districts.
Herald Writers Jeff Switzer, Bill Sheets, Diana Hefley, Yoshiaki Nohara and Eric Stevick contributed to this report. Reporter Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623 or jcornfield@heraldnet.com.
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