Ready, set, vote: Ballots for Aug. 3 primary go out Thursday

A half-million voters get a say in setting the field for three dozen races for local office.

The Snohomish County voters pamphlet. (Snohomish County)

The Snohomish County voters pamphlet. (Snohomish County)

EVERETT — Voting in the 2021 primary gets underway this week.

Ballots for the Aug. 3 election will be mailed Thursday to 507,000 registered voters in Snohomish County.

And voters are also receiving a local voters’ pamphlet with photos and statements of candidates competing for seats on school boards, fire commissions, city councils and the County Council.

“It’s hard to overstate the importance of local elections. The candidates we elect will determine priorities for our county, cities, schools and other local districts and can significantly impact our daily life,” County Auditor Garth Fell said.

“And voting in the primary supports candidates you want to see on your general election ballot,” he said. “So make sure your voice is heard — vote and return your primary ballot as soon as possible.”

One of the more closely watched races is in Lynnwood, where three members of the City Council — Jim Smith, Christine Frizzell and George Hurst — are running for mayor. The top two finishers will advance to the November election, with the winner succeeding Mayor Nicola Smith, who chose not to seek another term.

Mayoral races are also on the ballot in Snohomish and Everett. So, too, are contests for seats on the city councils in Bothell, Edmonds, Everett, Granite Falls, Lynnwood, Marysville, Mukilteo, Snohomish and the town council in Darrington.

And this primary marks the first time Everett voters will consider their council candidates based on districts. Contests in districts 3 and 5 are on the ballot, and each has drawn three hopefuls. In the fall, five city council members will be chosen by districts.

There are no countywide races or ballot measures in this election.

But voters in Snohomish are considering Proposition 1, which deals with the city’s transportation benefit district. It seeks to renew a 0.2% sales tax, proceeds of which are to be spent on road projects in the city.

Ballots returned by mail do not require a stamp — the postage will be paid by the state. But they must be postmarked no later than Aug. 3 to count.

Another option is to deposit ballots in one of the county’s 30 designated drop boxes. Those are open around the clock until 8 p.m. on election day.

It is not too late to participate.

A person can register online or by mail until July 26, which is eight days before the election. After that, a person can register or update registration in person at the county elections office during business hours and until 8 p.m. on election day.

For more information, contact the elections office at 425-388-3444.

Jerry Cornfield: jcornfield@heraldnet.com; @dospueblos

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Snohomish County Health Department Director Dennis Worsham on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Health Department director tapped as WA health secretary

Dennis Worsham became the first director of the county health department in January 2023. His last day will be July 3.

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Police Cmdr. Scott King answers questions about the Flock Safety license plate camera system on Thursday, June 5, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mountlake Terrace approves Flock camera system after public pushback

The council approved the $54,000 license plate camera system agreement by a vote of 5-2.

Cascadia College Earth and Environmental Sciences Professor Midori Sakura looks in the surrounding trees for wildlife at the North Creek Wetlands on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Cascadia College ecology students teach about the importance of wetlands

To wrap up the term, students took family and friends on a guided tour of the North Creek wetlands.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Edmonds Mayor Mike Rosen goes through an informational slideshow about the current budget situation in Edmonds during a roundtable event at the Edmonds Waterfront Center on Monday, April 7, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds mayor recommends $19M levy lid lift for November

The city’s biennial budget assumed a $6 million levy lid lift. The final levy amount is up to the City Council.

A firefighting helicopter carries a bucket of water from a nearby river to the Bolt Creek Fire on Saturday, Sep. 10, 2022, on U.S. 2 near Index, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Snohomish County property owners can prepare for wildfire season

Clean your roofs, gutters and flammable material while completing a 5-foot-buffer around your house.

(City of Everett)
Everett’s possible new stadium has a possible price tag

City staff said a stadium could be built for $82 million, lower than previous estimates. Bonds and private investment would pay for most of it.

Jennifer Humelo, right, hugs Art Cass outside of Full Life Care Snohomish County on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘I’ll lose everything’: Snohomish County’s only adult day health center to close

Full Life Care in Everett, which supports adults with disabilities, will shut its doors July 19 due to state funding challenges.

x
Edmonds appoints liaison to South County Fire Board of Commissioners

Will Morris, president of the Edmonds Police Officers Association, will serve as a non-voting liaison with the regional fire authority.

What’s Up columnist Andrea Brown with a selection of black and white glossy promotional photos on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Free celeb photos! Dig into The Herald’s Hollywood time capsule

John Wayne, Travolta, Golden Girls and hundreds more B&W glossies are up for grabs at August pop-up.

x
Driver in Edmonds ferry pursuit faces murder, vehicular homicide charges

Documents show the 29-year-old driver may have stolen the car three days before the pursuit, which left two passengers dead.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.