POMEROY–The Primary Election ballots are scheduled to be mailed by July 15, 2022, at the latest, and voters will find them in their mail boxes by early next week.

In the county election, two candidates will vie for Garfield County Sheriff: incumbent Drew Hyer and challenger Kurt Miller.

Voters will mark their ballots for that County race and other County, State, Federal candidates and Proposition No. 1, a measure going before voters concerning funding for emergency communications systems and facilities.

Proposition No. 1, related to Funding Emergency Communication Systems and Facilities, reads: The Board of Commissioners of Garfield County has determined that funding of emergency communication systems and facilities requires more stable and consistent funding. If approved by the voters, this measure will authorize an emergency communication systems and facilities sales and use tax at a rate of two-tenths of one percent (2 cents on every 10 dollars of taxable sales). Any tax revenue collected by the County must be used solely for the purpose of providing funds of costs associated with financing, design, acquisition, construction, equipping, operating, maintaining, remodeling, repairing, reequipping, and improvement of emergency communication systems and facilities. Approval of the sales tax will allow Garfield County to maintain and improve the level of emergency communications with in the county. A “yes” vote is for approval of the tax. A “no” vote is to reject the tax. Approval of Proposition No. 1 requires an affirmative vote from a majority of the person voting.

On the Garfield County Primary Ballot, voters will decide between two county candidates running for Sheriff, incumbent Drew Hyer and challenger Kurt Miller. Positions up for re-election that are not opposed are: County Assessor Brian S. Bartels; County Auditor McKenzie Lueck; County Clerk Marie Gormsen; County Prosecutor Matt L. Newberg; County Treasurer Tereasa Summers; and Commissioner District No. 3 Justin E. Dixon.

Legislative District 9–State Representative Pos. 1 Mary Dye, Republican; and Position 2, Joe Schmick, GOP, are both unopposed.

The Secretary of State have eight candidates vying for that position. They are: Bob Hagglund, Republican; Kurtis Engle, Union; Marquez Tiggs, Democrat; Tamborine Borrelli, America First (R); Steve Hobbs, Democrat; Keith L. Wagoner, Republican; Mark Miloscia, Republican; and Julie Anderson, Nonpartisan.

U. S. Senator has eighteen candidates seeking one of two spots on the general ballot: Henry Clay Dennison, Socialist; Mohammad Hassan Said, Democrat; John Guenther, Republican; Tiffany Smiley, Republican; Dan Phan Doan, No preference; Dr. Pano Churchill, Democrat; Dave Saulibio, JFK Republican; Sam Cusmir, Democrat; Bill Hirt, Republican; Jon Butler, Independent; Bryan Solstin, Democrat; Martin D. Hash, No Party Preference; Patty Murray, Democratic; Thor Amundson, Independent; Charlie (Chuck) Jackson, Independent; Naz Paul, Independent; Ravin Pierre, Democrat; and Leon Lawson, Trump Republican.

Congressional District 5–U.S. Representative: Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Republican; Natasha Hill, Democrat; Sean Clynch, Republican; and Ann Marie Danimus, Democrat.

Young voters should note that, in the primary, those who are 17 years of age during the August Primary election and will reach 18 years before the General election in November are eligible to vote in the primary election. These voters are referred to as “‘Primary-only Voters’” and are only allowed to vote on certain contests in the primary election,” according to information found on the Garfield County Auditor’s election site. “Primary-only voters can vote on the following contests: Nonpartisan candidate races that contain three or more candidates; Partisan candidate races, regardless of the number of candidates, appearing on a primary election ballot, Presidential primary, only held once every four years.

Primary-only voters are not permitted to vote on measures or other races in the primary election that will not go to the general election.

To register to vote, Washington State offers three ways: online, by mail and in person. For information go to http://www.co.garfield.wa.us/auditor and click Register to Vote.