General election ballots distributed next month

The last day for Adams County residents to register to vote in the general election is Monday, Oct. 8. Voters can register online, through the mail, transfer or update existing registration until this date.

Registration for first time voters is open until Monday, Oct. 29, at 4:30 p.m. First time voters can register in person at the Adams County Auditor’s Office.

The Nov. 6 general election ballot includes state measures, federal offices, Washington state offices, Legislative District 9 offices, Adams County commissioner districts one and two, judicial-nonpartisan offices, and local propositions and measures.

Adams County Commissioner District 1 candidates are Rudy Plager and John N. Marshall. Adams County Commissioner District 2 candidates are Roger L. Hartwig and Oscar Garza. Both commissioner positions are four-year terms.

Local propositions and measures on the general election ballot include five Proposition No. 1 measures from local communities. The Ritzville School District submitted a capital levy to improve Jimmie Snider Field, and the Benge School District submitted a replacement maintenance and operation (M&O) levy.

The Adams County Fire District No. 4 in Lamont has submitted an M&O levy, and the Adams County Cemetery District No. 3 in Lind has also submitted an M&O levy.

The final M&O levy on the general election ballot has been re-submitted by the Adams County Park and Recreation District No. 2 in Washtucna. The M&O levy appeared on the primary election ballot but failed with only 57.25 percent and 75 votes in favor of the levy, with a required 60 percent approval to pass.

State measures are Initiative Measure No. 1185, which is about tax and fee increases imposed by the state government, and Initiative Petition No. 1240 concerning the creation of a public charter school system.

Referendum Measure No. 74 also appears on the general election ballet, concerning marriage for same-sex couples, modified domestic-partnership law and religious freedom, as voters have filed a sufficient referendum petition on the bill. Initiative Measure No. 502 regarding marijuana.

Two amendments proposed by the Legislature include Resolution No. 8221 and 8223, implementing the commission on State Debt recommendations regarding Washington’s debt limit and an amendment on investments by the University of Washington and Washington State University.

There are also two advisory votes to the people concerning engrossed Senate Bill 6635 and 2590, which the Legislature made a decision on without the vote of the people.

Federal offices include president/vice president, U.S. Senator and U.S. Representative, District No. 4. Nominees are Barack Obama and Joe Biden for the Democratic Party, Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan for the Republican Party, Gary Johnson and James P. Gray for the Libertarian party, Virgil Goode and James N. Clymer for the Constitution Party, Jill Stein and Cheri Honkala for the Green Party, Peta Lindsay and Yari Osorio for the Socialism and Liberation Party, James Harris and Alyson Kennedy for the Socialist Workers Party, and Ross C. (Rocky) Anderson and Luis J. Rodriguez for the Justice Party.

For U.S. Senator, a six-year term, candidates are Maria Cantwell for the Democratic Party and Michael Baumgartner for the Republican Party. For the U.S. Representative, District No. 4, position, candidates are Doc Hastings for the Republican Party and Mary Baechler for the Democratic Party.

Washington state offices, all four-year terms, include governor with candidates Jay Inslee for the Democratic Party and Rob McKenna for the Republican Party. The lieutenant governor position candidates are Brad Owen for the Democratic Party and Bill Finkbeiner, Republican Party.

Secretary of State candidates are Kim Wyman for the Republican Party and Kathleen Drew for the Democratic Party. State treasurer candidates are Jim McIntire for the Democratic Party and Sharon Hanek, Republican Party.

State auditor candidates are James Watkins, Republican Party, and Troy Kelley, Democratic Party. Attorney General candidates are Bob Ferguson for the Democratic Party and Reagan Dunn for the Republican Party.

Commissioner of Public Lands candidates are Peter J. Goldmark, Democratic Party, and Clint Didier, Republican Party. The superintendent of public instruction position candidate is Randy I. Dorn. Candidaes for insurance commissioner are Mike Kreidler, Democratic Party, and John R. Adams, Republican Party.

Legislative District 9 candidates are all seeking reelection and running unopposed in the general election. Mark G. Schoesler is a candidate for the four-year term for State Senator, Susan Fagan is the sole candidate for the two-year term for State Representative Position 1, and Joe Schmick is the candidate for State Representative Position 2, a two-year term.

The Judicial, nonpartisan offices include three six-year terms for Justice Position 2 with candidate Susan Owens, Justice Position 8 with candidate Steve Gonzalez, and Justice Position 9 with candidates Sheryl Gordon McCloud and Richard B. Sanders.

A general election ballot is sent to all registered voters in Adams County on Oct. 19. If voters do not receive a ballot, contact the Adams County Auditor’s Office at 659-3249 for a replacement ballot.

Any individual requiring assistance for voting should contact the Auditor’s office by phone, or visit the Adams County website at http://www.co.adams.wa.us. Residents can also register to vote online at http://www.vote.wa.gov.