EVERETT — Ballots will be sent out Thursday for one of the most important statewide and national elections in a generation.
About 8,000 ballots were mailed overseas in mid-September, Snohomish County elections officials said. About 520,000 ballots will be mailed Thursday.
In-person registration and voting will be available until 8 p.m. Nov. 5 at the auditor’s office in Everett and at designated accessible voting sites during specific hours.
“To make sure your voice is heard in the 2024 General Election, don’t wait until the last minute to vote and return your ballot,” Snohomish County Auditor Garth Fell said in a press release. “Voting as soon as you can not only ensures that your ballot is received on time but also spares you from long lines at ballot drop boxes, accessible voting sites, and the Auditor’s Office on Election Day.”
At the top of the ballot will be the presidential race between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, though eight other choices will be on the ballot, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The ballot includes the hotly-contested race for governor between Democrat Bob Ferguson and Republican Dave Reichert. Other statewide races include lieutenant governor, secretary of state, treasurer, auditor, attorney general, insurance commissioner and the commissioner of public lands.
Much of Washington’s federal delegation is also up for grabs.
Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell is facing Republican Raul Garcia in her bid for re-election. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Reps. Suzan DelBene and Rick Larsen are challenged by Jeb Brewer and Cody Hart, respectively. Both Brewer and Hart are Republicans.
Democratic U.S. Rep. Kim Schrier is being challenged by Republican Cameron Goers for her seat, which covers most of eastern Snohomish County.
Voters will also weigh in on statewide ballot measures and local propositions.
Initiative 2066 is one of those measures, centered on natural gas. A yes vote would roll back a new state law meant to quicken Puget Sound Energy’s transition away from natural gas.
A yes vote on Initiative 2117 would repeal the Climate Commitment Act. Supporters of the initiative point to higher gas taxes, while those against argue it would eliminate critical funding for environmental protections.
Local propositions include a Snohomish County public safety sales tax and two dueling minimum wage measures in Everett.
Voters will also decide on seats representing Snohomish County in the state Legislature.
In Legislative District 10, Democratic incumbent state Rep. Clyde Shavers is facing off against Carrie Kennedy. Democrat Dave Paul and Republican Gary Wray are on the ballot in the other 10th District seat.
Island County Commissioner Janet St. Clair, a Democrat, is challenging incumbent State Sen. Ron Muzzall, a Republican, in the 10th District, a race that has drawn over $1.3 million in campaign contributions and could swing the state Senate further toward Democrats.
Over in the 38th District, incumbent and current Snohomish County Council member Sam Low is again in a race against former state lawmaker Robert Sutherland.
Snohomish County will also elect a Superior Court judge, pitting Mary Anderson, who ran and lost last year, against sitting Judge Whitney Rivera.
Ballot drop boxes can be found at www.snohomishcountywa.gov/5726/Find-a-Ballot-Drop-Box.
Jordan Hansen: 425-339-3046; jordan.hansen@heraldnet.com; X: @jordyhansen.
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