Deciding how to vote in the primary? Here’s where to find information on Thurston races
Thurston County’s Aug. 1 primary will narrow a field of 45 candidates vying for Thurston County Commission, Port of Olympia Commission, and many city council and school board positions.
Voters also will decide whether to allow tax levy increases in Lacey Fire District 3 and five other fire districts in the county.
Though 132 candidates filed to run for office by the May 19 deadline, five have withdrawn since, leaving the open pool of candidates at 127. However, only those races with three or more candidates appear on the primary ballots. The two candidates that receive the most votes Aug. 1 will advance to the general election in November, when the other races not on the primary ballot also will be decided.
The Thurston County Auditor’s Office distributed ballots by mail in early July. Those who have not received their ballots should contact the office at 360-786-5408. Voters also can get a ballot or replacement ballot in person at the Elections Division of the Auditor’s Office or Voting Center at 2400 Evergreen Park Drive SW.
Voters in Fire District 13 will not receive ballots, as there are no measures or candidates to vote on in the primary.
Since voters aren’t exposed to a multitude of advertisements, commercials or mailings from most candidates in small local races, and most of the races are nonpartisan, voters need to take the initiative to learn about the candidates and their positions on issues.
Here’s The Olympian’s best suggestions for where to research the candidates on your ballot.
VoteWA: Primary Candidate Guide
VoteWA’s candidate guide shows all candidates who filed to run, not just those in the primary, by location and type of race and a variety of ways to contact candidate campaigns directly. Voters can gain access to fuller candidate profiles by clicking on the names displayed, which will bring them to candidate profiles with statements and experience.
Thurston County Official Local Voters’ Pamphlet
The Local Voters’ Pamphlet provides voting resources, candidate statements and descriptions of ballot measures. On Page 7, the packet also lists position descriptions for each of the races.
The Thurston County Elections website includes one page with links to the online Voters Pamphlet, where to find dropboxes, lists of candidates, a sample ballot and frequently asked questions about voting.
Vote411.org
The League of Women Voters of Washington is providing a non-partisan resource to navigate through Washington’s primary elections. The site provides guidance on voting instructions and registration, alongside ballot measures and candidate information. This supplementary resource will show races based on address.
League of Women Voters of Thurston County
The League of Women Voters of Thurston County has teamed up with Thurston Community Media to conduct candidate forums for some races in Thurston County. Videos vary from about 15-50 minutes in length.
Endorsements
Some groups have posted endorsements or other support for candidates in Thurston County races.
The Thurston County Democrats have endorsed the following candidates: Wayne Fornier, County Commissioner Dist. No. 4; Emily Clouse, County Commissioner Dist. No. 5; Jasmine Vasavada, Port Commissioner Dist. No. 1; Joanne Manson, Port Commissioner Dist. No. 4; Sarah Tonge, Port Commissioner Dist. No. 5; Dontae Payne, Olympia Mayor; Kelly Von Holtz, Tumwater City Council No. 7; Maria Flores and Talauna Reed (dual endorsement), Olympia School Board Dist. No. 1; Jess Tourtellotte-Palumbo, Olympia School Board Dist. No. 2; Hilary Siedel, Olympia School Board Dist. No. 4; Stephanie Scott, North Thurston Public Schools Dist. No. 4 (candidate suspended campaign and endorsed Esperanza A Badillo-Diiorio); Michelle Gipson, North Thurston Public Schools Dist. No. 5.
The National Women’s Political Caucus has endorsed Dani Madrone for Olympia City Council; Jasmine Vasavada and Maggie Sanders for Port of Olympia Commissioner; Leatta Dahlhoff and Joan Cathey for Tumwater City Council; Gretchen Maliska and Stephanie Scott for North Thurston Public Schools; Hilary Seidel, Jess Tourtellotte-Palumbo and Leslie Van Leishout for Olympia School District.
The Progressive Voters Guide is highlighting Wayne Fournier, Emily Clouse and Michael Steadman for Thurston County Commissioner; Jasmine Vasavada, Maggie Sanders and Sarah Tonge for Port of Olympia Commission; and Dontae Payne for Olympia Mayor.
Olympia Indivisible, a local group dedicated to defending democratic institutions and promoting social justice and progressive values, endorsed Wayne Fournier and Emily Clouse for Thurston County Commissioner; and Jasmine Vasavada, Maggie Sanders and Sarah Tonge for Port of Olympia Commission.
Olympian coverage
The Olympian covered the LWVTC Thurston Commissioner District 5 candidate forum.
The Olympian asked Port of Olympia candidates about their views on the marine terminal.
Letters to the editor have contained a number of candidate and levy endorsements:
