Ballots mailed for Aug. 4 Primary Election

Voters will be receiving their primary ballots in the mail soon which include Lakewood School District funding measures and primary races for a number of federal and state representative positions.

Ballots are due at ballot boxes or returned by mail by Aug. 4.

There are many ballot boxes available locally, including at the Arlington Library, at Marysville City Hall, near the Smokey Point Lowe's and near the Tulalip Youth Center at 6722 Totem Beach Road.

July 27 is the last day to register to vote or update voter information by mail or online and Aug. 4 is the last day to submit your ballot.

More information about how to do register to vote is available at sos.wa.gov/elections/register.aspx.

In Washington state's "jungle primary" system, the two candidates who receive the most votes move on to the general election, even if they are in the same party.

This year's general election is scheduled for Nov. 3.

Congressional Representatives

There are two local races for U.S. Congress seats.

In Congressional District 2, which covers Tulalip and the majority of Marysville and Arlington, there are eight candidates for the seat.

Incumbent Democrat Rick Larsen is facing challenges from Democrat Jason Call and Republicans Timothy Hazelo, Tim Uy, Kari Ilonummi, James Golder, Carrie Kennedy and Cody Hart.

Congressional District 1 covers some parts of Arlington and outlying neighborhoods such the Arlington Heights, Sisco Heights and Getchell hill areas.

Republicans Derek Chartr and and Jeffrey Beeler are challenging incumbent Democrat Suzan DelBene. Libertarian candidate Steven Skelton is also in the race, along with Robert Mair, Matthew Heines and Justin Smoak who have all stated no party preference.

State Legislature Positions

There are many State Senate and State House of Representatives seats up for election this year.

In Legislative District 38, which covers Tulalip and a large section of Marysville, all three seats are up for election.

State Sen. John McCoy retired from his position earlier this year and Democrat June Robinson was appointed to the seat.

Robinson is on the ballot against Democrat Kelly Fox and Republican Bernard Moody.

When Robinson left her State Representative seat for the Senate, Democrat Emily Wicks was appointed to fill it.

Wicks runs against Republican Bert Johnson, Libertarian Jorge Garrido and Democrat Lacey Sauvageau for the seat.

For the other District 38 seat Libertarian David Wiley runs against incumbent Democrat Mike Sells.

Legislative District 39 includes most of Arlington and sees all three Republican incumbents returning to the ballot.

For the State Senate seat incumbent Keith Wagoner is facing a challenge from Washington Progressive Party candidate Kathryn Lewandowsky.

The Pos. 1 State Representative seat is currently held by Republican Robert Sutherland, who is running against Democrat Claus Joens.

The other seat is a race between Democrat Ryan Johnson, incumbent Republican Carolyn Eslick and Republican Sandy Mesenbrink.

Legislative District 44 covers some parts of Marysville, particularly the Sunnyside neighborhood area and has two races.

For the State Representative seats, Republican John Kartak is challenging incumbent John Lovick for Pos. 1.

In the Pos. 2 seat, State Rep. Jared Mead will not run again and is instead seeking a position on the Snohomish County Council.

Democrats Anne Anderson and April Berg are running against Republican Mark James for the open seat.

Three positions are up for election in Legislative District 10 includes parts of the Lakewood and Lake Goodwin areas.

After former State Sen. Barbara Bailey stepped down from the position, Republican Ron Muzzall was appointed to the seat.

Muzzall is in a race against Democrat Helen Johnson for the position now.

Current Rep. Norma Smith will not be running for her seat again. Democrats Ivan Lewis, Angie Homola, Scott McMullen and Suzanne Wood are running against Republican Greg Gilday.

In the second seat, Democrat Dave Paul is running against Republican Bill Bruch and Progressive Party candidate Taylor Zimmerman.

Lakewood School District Measures

The two Lakewood School District measures were rejected by voters in the February election but return this August on the primary election ballot.

Both the Programs and Operations levy and the Capital and Technology levy will renew previously approved measures so they would not increase taxes over the current amount if approved.

A Programs and Operations levy provides funding for staff and programs that state funds do not cover, such as bands, clubs, mental health support staff and athletics.

The Capital and Technology levy is meant to continue funds for the district's technology equipment for student learning and provide funding for the maintenance of the district's buildings.