Time is running out if you want a say in Tuesday’s primary

EVERETT — Time is winding down for those wishing to participate in Tuesday’s primary election.

More than a half-million voters in Snohomish County have received a ballot and can help narrow the field in contests for seats on school boards, fire commissions, city councils, mayor and the county council.

The top two finishers in each race will advance to the general election in November.

Snohomish County Auditor Garth Fell anticipates turnout will be around 28% based on the pace of ballot returns. That’s way down from last fall’s presidential election.

“That’s what we’re trending, ” he said. “If you look historically, we do see a drop-off following a presidential election. It is unfortunate because what is decided in local elections will have a significant impact on their day-to-day lives.”

One closely watched race is in Lynnwood, where three members of the City Council — Jim Smith, Christine Frizzelland George Hurst — are running for mayor. The eventual winner will succeed 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, Mill Creek, Mukilteo, Snohomish and the town council in Darrington.

There’s also spirited races for seats on the school boards in the Marysville, Northshore, Lake Stevens, Stanwood-Camano and Everett school districts

This primary also marks the first time Everett voters will select City Council candidates by geographic districts. Contests in Districts 3 and 5 are on the ballot as each has drawn three hopefuls. In the fall, five City Council members will be chosen by districts.

Republican Snohomish County Councilman Nate Nehring faces two Democrats in the primary.

And voters in Snohomish are considering Proposition 1, which, if passed, would renew a 0.2% sales tax, the proceeds of which are spent on road projects in the city.

Ballots returned by mail do not require a stamp but must be postmarked no later than Tuesday to count.

Another option is to deposit ballots in one of the county’s 32 designated drop boxes, which are open around the clock until 8 p.m. on Election Day.

There are two new boxes for this election. One is at Edmonds College, 20000 68th Ave. W in Lynnwood, and the other is in the parking lot of Kokanee Elementary, 23710 57th Ave. SE in Woodinville. The school is in unincorporated Snohomish County.

It is not too late to participate. State law allows a person to register to vote, get a ballot and cast it the same day.

This can be done at the Snohomish County Auditor’s Office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday and 8:30 a.m. and 8 p.m Tuesday. The office is at 3000 Rockefeller Ave. in Everett

There are two other locations where this can be done in person, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday and 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday. They are the Wyndham Garden Hotel, 16710 Smokey Point Blvd. in Arlington, and the Alderwood Water & Wastewater District office, 3626 156th St. SW in Lynnwood.

All voters who show up at one of those sites will be required to wear a mask and maintain social distancing.

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

Jerry Cornfield: jcornfield@heraldnet.com; @dospueblos