A wall diagram shows the “journey of the ballot” at the new Elections Center on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

A wall diagram shows the “journey of the ballot” at the new Elections Center on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Snohomish County’s guide to the 2024 primary election

Here is everything you need to know before ballot boxes close Tuesday night.

EVERETT — Tuesday is primary day.

Voters will choose candidates for the general election in state House and Senate races across Snohomish County. Critical and controversial ballot measures to seek raise property taxes in Everett, expand the boundaries for the Port of Everett and lift the levy lid in Mukilteo.

To read about all the races, the county voters’ pamphlet can be found here.

Ballots are due at 8 p.m. You can drop off your ballot at one of the county’s drop boxes or put it in the mail. It must be postmarked by 8 p.m. to count.

As of Monday, just under 20% of the county’s 517,000 registered voters had returned a ballot.

Registration is still open in-person at the county auditor’s office in Everett until 8 p.m.

The first batch of results will come shortly after 8 p.m.

Here is our latest coverage of the 2024 races:

Opposing signs regarding Prop 1 are posted along Colby on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Opposing signs regarding Prop 1 are posted along Colby on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Proposed Everett tax increase sparks controversy

The city wants to raise its property tax rate 44%, from $1.52 per $1,000 of assessed value to $2.19. The new tax rate would cost the average Everett homeowner an extra $28 per month, according to a city estimate.

Officials say it’s necessary to stave off the city’s budget deficit. Critics say the city hasn’t done enough to make cuts in the budget.

A boat drives out of the Port of Everett Marina in front of Boxcar Park, which is one of the sites set to be elevated in preparation for rising sea levels on Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

A boat drives out of the Port of Everett Marina in front of Boxcar Park, which is one of the sites set to be elevated in preparation for rising sea levels on Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Expand the Port of Everett’s boundaries? Voters must decide

The port is looking to include almost all of Snohomish County as a way to bring its economic benefits to outlying communities. But opponents say property owners are taxed enough and it’s unclear what exactly this would do for residents.

Property owners within the current port district pay 18.8 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. Homes valued at $550,000 pay about $100 in annual taxes to the port.

Mukilteo levy lid lift will hike average tax bill about $180 more a year

Voters in Mukilteo are being asked to pay more in property taxes to fund six more workers, ambulances, equipment and medical supplies. Opponents believe the lid lift is unnecessary.

Top row: Joshua Binda, left, Jason Call, Cody Hart, Devin Hermanson. Bottom row: Leif Johnson, left, Rick Larsen, Daniel Miller, Edwin Stickle

Top row: Joshua Binda, left, Jason Call, Cody Hart, Devin Hermanson. Bottom row: Leif Johnson, left, Rick Larsen, Daniel Miller, Edwin Stickle

Larsen faces 7 challengers to represent Everett in Congress

Seeking a 13th term, U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Everett, looks to fend off challengers on his left and right.

Julio Cortes, left, Annie Fitzgerald, Bryce Nickel

Julio Cortes, left, Annie Fitzgerald, Bryce Nickel

Diversity is key for Everett state rep candidates

State Rep. Julio Cortes, D-Everett, faces two Democrats as he tries to win his second term.

Top row: Zephaniah Borynack, left, Robert Sutherland. Bottom Row: Sam Low, left, Kathryn Lewandowsky

Top row: Zephaniah Borynack, left, Robert Sutherland. Bottom Row: Sam Low, left, Kathryn Lewandowsky

Education, housing top issues in races to represent Edmonds, Mukilteo

Two longtime Democratic incumbents each face two challengers to return to the state House representing the 21st Legislative District in south Snohomish County.

Low faces 3 challengers in 39th district House race

In the 39th Legislative District, state Rep. Sam Low, also a County Council member, faces three opponents in his re-election bid, old rival and former Rep. Robert Sutherland, retired nurse and health care advocate Kathryn Lewandowsky and Zephaniah Borynack, whose past includes criminal charges and claims of religious extremism.

Tim McDonald, left, John Snow, Keith Wagoner

Tim McDonald, left, John Snow, Keith Wagoner

Housing, taxes hot topics for rural Snohomish County senate candidates

Also in the 39th District, state Sen. Keith Wagoner, R-Sedro-Woolley, faces two fellow military veterans, John Snow and Tim McDonald.

Heather Koellen, left, Brian Burnett

Heather Koellen, left, Brian Burnett

Former sheriff and nurse vie for rural Snohomish County seat in House

Already, only two candidates remain in the competitive race for an open seat in the redrawn 12th Legislative District, which includes the corridor from Monroe to Index. Former Chelan County Sheriff Brian Burnett, a Republican, and North Bend City Council member Heather Koellen, a Democrat, are facing off.

Monroe school board director Jennifer Bumpus also filed to run, but dropped out in July to focus on her family.

Janet St Clair, left, Ron Muzzall, Denny Sandberg

Janet St Clair, left, Ron Muzzall, Denny Sandberg

Muzzall, St. Clair in a contentious, expensive race for state Senate

This is the most expensive legislative race in the state, as Republican incumbent Sen. Ron Muzzall and Janet St. Clair, a Democratic Island County commissioner, have combined to raise $700,000.

The district represents Island County, a wide swath of the north coast of Snohomish County, as well as Arlington and parts of Skagit County.

Carrie R. Kennedy, left, Yvonne Gallardo-Van Ornam, Clyde Shavers

Carrie R. Kennedy, left, Yvonne Gallardo-Van Ornam, Clyde Shavers

Shavers faces two Republicans to retain House seat

Also in the purple 10th Legislative District, state Rep. Clyde Shavers, a Democrat, faces two Republican challengers, including Arlington City Council member Yvonne Gallardo-Van Ornam, in his campaign to remain in the Legislature.

Jake Goldstein-Street: 425-339-3439; jake.goldstein-street@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @GoldsteinStreet.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

LifeWise local co-directors Darcie Hammer and Sarah Sweeny talk about what a typical classroom routine looks like on Monday, April 14, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett off-campus Bible program draws mixed reaction from parents

The weekly optional program, LifeWise Academy, takes children out of public school during the day for religious lessons.

Protesters line Broadway in Everett for Main Street USA rally

Thousands turn out to protest President Trump on Saturday in Everett, joining hundreds of other towns and cities.

An EcoRemedy employee checks a control panel of their equipment at the Edmonds Wastewater Treatment Plant on Thursday, April 17, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds launches technology to destroy PFAS

Edmonds is the first city in the country to implement… Continue reading

Over a dozen parents and some Snohomish School District students gather outside of the district office to protest and discuss safety concerns after an incident with a student at Machias Elementary School on Friday, April 18, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Parents protest handling of alleged weapon incident at Machias Elementary

Families say district failed to communicate clearly; some have kept kids home for weeks.

Irene Pfister, left, holds a sign reading “Justice for Jonathan” next to another protester with a sign that says “Major Crimes Needs to Investigate,” during a call to action Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Arlington. (Aspen Anderson / The Herald)
Arlington community rallies, a family waits for news on missing man

Family and neighbors say more can be done in the search for Jonathan Hoang. The sheriff’s office says all leads are being pursued.

Mary Ann Karber, 101, spins the wheel during Wheel of Forunte at Washington Oakes on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lunch and Wheel of Fortune with some Everett swinging seniors

She’s 101 and he’s 76. At Washington Oakes, fun and friendship are on the menu.

Henry M. Jackson High School’s FIRST Robotics Competition championship robotics Team 2910 Jack in the Bot on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek robotics team celebrates world championship win

The team — known as “Jack in the Bot” — came in first place above about 600 others at a Texas world championship event last week.

The Washington state Capitol on April 18, 2025. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)
Parental rights overhaul gains final approval in WA Legislature

The bill was among the most controversial of this year’s session.

Snohomish firefighters appeal vaccine suspensions to Ninth Circuit

Despite lower court’s decision, eight men maintain their department did not properly accommodate their religious beliefs during COVID.

A rental sign seen in Everett. Saturday, May 23, 2020 (Sue Misao / Herald file)
Compromise reached on Washington bill to cap rent increases

Under a version released Thursday, rent hikes would be limited to 7% plus inflation, or 10%, whichever is lower.

A Mitsubishi Electric heat pump is installed on the wall of a home on Sep. 7, 2023, near Langley, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Kicking Gas urges households to get in line for subsidies while funds last

The climate justice group has enough funding to aid 80 households with making the transition to heat pumps and electric ranges

Everett Fire Department’s color guard Jozef Mendoza, left, and Grady Persons, right, parade the colors at the end of the ceremony on Worker’s Memorial Day on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County officials honor Worker’s Memorial Day

Work-related injuries kill thousands of people nationwide every year.

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.