The election ballots have been mailed and soon the counting will begin.
King County Elections mailed the ballots and voters’ pamphlets Oct. 15 and most residents have received them both.
Ballots must be postmarked no later than Nov. 4 to be counted.
A drop van for ballots for anyone who does not want to mail a ballot will be located at the Tahoma School District parking lot.
In the 5th Legislative District there are contested races in the two State House races. The Senate seat is not up for two years.
Incumbent Jay Rodne, R, is being challenged by Democrat Essie Hicks for House Position No. 1.
For Position No. 2 Democrat challenger David Spring is challenging Chad Magendanz, R.
In the 47th incumbent state Sen. Joe Fain, R, is being challenged by Carol Barber, D.
For House Position No. 1 Republican incumbent Mark Hargrove is being challenged by Chris Barringer, D.
Incumbent Pat Sullivan, D, is challenged by Barry Knowles, R.
On the federal ballot U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert in Congressional District No. 8 in facing Democrat Jason Ritchie.
There are three statewide initiatives on the ballot.
* I-1351 would direct the legislature to reduce class sizes and increase staffing for K-12 and additional class size reduction and staff for high-poverty schools.
* I-591 would prohibit government agencies from confiscating guns or other firearms from citizens without due process, or from requiring background checks on firearm recipients unless a uniform national standard is required.
* I-594 would apply current criminal and public safety background checks by licensed dealers to all firearm sales and transfers, including gun show and online sales with specific exceptions.
There are two advisory votes on the ballot. One from the state Senate and one from the state House. Advisory votes do not change laws nor are the votes binding. The votes provide advise to the legislature on and supporters of the measures.
* Senate Advisory Vote No. 8: “The legislature eliminated, without a vote of the people, agricultural excise tax preferences for various aspects of the marijuana industry, costing an estimated $24,903,000 in the first ten years, for government spending.”
The measure asks if the “tax increase” should be repealed or maintained.
* House Advisory Vote No. 9: The legislature imposed, without a vote of the people, the leasehold excise tax on certain leasehold interests in tribal property, costing an estimated $1,298,000 in the first ten years, for government spending.
This measure also asks if the “tax increase” should be repealed or maintained.
Tahoma School District Building
25720 Maple Valley-Black
Diamond Rd
Maple Valley
Dates Open: Nov. 1, 3 and 4
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Election Day hours:
10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
5th and 47 Legislative District
