Local voters’ guide to candidates and measures in Nov. 5 election
The general election is coming up on November 5. Here are some things voters need to know, from registering to vote to candidate races to ballot-measure breakdowns.
Can you even vote?
Registering to vote is easy and you can do it online, by mail or in person.
Online – Click here. You will need a valid Washington State Driver’s License or ID card.
By mail – Print this form, fill it out and mail to your county elections office.
In person – Registration forms are available at county elections offices, all state agencies, city and town halls, public schools, public libraries and staffed fire stations.
Remember your deadlines
October 28 – Deadline to register to vote online or by mail.
*Curious to know if your ballot made it back to the elections office? Track your ballot here.
November 5 – Election Day. Your ballot must be submitted by 8 p.m.
A new law allows Washington voters to register in person on Election Day. You must do so at a county elections office.
The USPS is recommending that voters mail ballots one week before Election Day to account for any unforeseen events or weather issues and to allow for timely receipt.
Do your homework BENTON COUNTY – Voter Guide Candidate Races:
Benton City Mayor
Linda Lehman v. David Sandretto
Benton City Council Pos. 3
Ashley Morrison v. John A. Derderian
Benton City Council Pos. 4
Keila Gordon v. Connie Meredith
Benton City Council Pos. 5
Michelle McLeod v. Jake Mokler
Kennewick City Council Pos. 5 At Large
Chuck Torelli v. Chariss Warner
Kennewick City Council Pos. 6 At Large
Brad Beauchamp v. Ed Pacheco
Kennewick City Council Pos. 7 At Large
James (Jim) Millbauer v. Russel Del Gesso
Kennewick School District 17 Director No. 3
Ron Mabry v. Wende Carlisle
Kennewick School District 17 Director No. 4
Michael Connors v. James Langford
Kennewick School District 17 Director No. 5
Diane Sundvik v. Patrick (Pat) Mastale
Prosser City Council Pos. 4
Robert Elder v. Robert McGraw
Prosser City Council Pos. 5
Mary Ruth Edwards
Richland City Council Pos. 1
Bob Thompson v. Lillian (Randy) Slovic
Richland City Council Pos. 2
Brad Anderson v. Shir Regev
Richland City Council Pos. 5
Phillip R. Lemley v. Lisa Thomas
Richland City Council Pos. 6
Terry Christensen v. Kyle Palmer
Richland School District 400 Director No. 3
Rick Donahoe v. Matthew J. Bishop
Richland School District 400 Director No. 4
Kari Williams v. Jay Clough
Richland School District 400 Director No. 5
Jill M. Oldson v. Rama Devagupta
West Richland City Council Pos. 7
Ken Stoker v. Kate Moran
Fire District #1 Commissioner Pos. 3
David Jenkins v. Scott Carpenter
Fire District #4 Commissioner Pos. 2
Ralph Russell v. Garrett Goodwin
Port Of Benton Commissioner District 1
Roy Keck v. Bill O’Neil
Port Of Kennewick Commissioner District 2
Thomas Moak v. VJ Meadows
FRANKLIN COUNTY – Voter Guide Candidate Races:
Connell City Council Pos. 5 At Large
KaTrina Kunkel v. Ray H. Minor
Connell City Council Pos. 6 At Large
Shelly (Oelkers) Harper v. Jesse Mandler
Mesa City Council Pos. 1 At Large
Chiloe Chervenell v. Jim Cronenwett
Pasco City Council Pos. 5
Isaac (Ike) Myhrum v. David Milne
Pasco City Council Pos. 7 At Large
Zahra Roach v. Patrick Guettner
Pasco School District #1 Director Pos. 1 At Large
Donna Watts v. Scott Lehrman
Pasco School District #1 Director Pos. 2 At Large
Jesse Campos v. Steven Castellano
Othello School District 147 Director District 2
Rob Simmons v. Sharon Schutte
Othello School District 147 Director District 5 At Large
Roger R Durkee v. Miguel “Mike” Garza
Othello School District 147 Director District 4
Isauro (JR) Pruneda v. Lindsy Mollotte Prows
KITTITAS COUNTY – Voter Guide Candidate Races:
Legislative District 13 State Rep. Pos. 2
Alex Ybarra (R) v. Steve Verhey (D)
County Commissioner District 1
Cory Wright (R) v. Nancy Lillquist (D)
Ellensburg City Council Pos. 6
Stacey (Bankston) Engel v. Matt Anderson
Ellensburg City Council Pos. 7
Kristin Ashley v. Tristen Lamb
Ellensburg School District 401 Pos. 1
Meg Ludlum v. Mark Manning
Selah School District 119 Director Pos. 2 At Large
Dan Peters v. AJ Cooper
Roslyn Mayor
Brent Hals v. Doug Johnson
Roslyn City Council Pos. 1
Derek Gruber v. Jim G. Guerci
Roslyn City Council Pos. 2
Dave Tylor v. Geoff Scherer
Roslyn City Council Pos. 4
Jennifer Basterrechea-Atela v. Cathy Cook
Roslyn City Council Pos. 6
Tom Missel v. Doug Kilgore
Fire District #7 Commissioner 1
Robert Cernick v. Russ Hobbs
Hospital District 1 Commissioner 1
Liahna Armstrong v. Terry Clark
Hospital District 1 Commissioner 4
Jon Ward v. Roy Savoian
Water District #5 Commissioner 3
Terry Guilford v. Sonja Busby
Water District #7 Commissioner 3
Roger Swansen v. Mike Budschat
WALLA WALLA COUNTY – Voter Guide Candidate Races:
Walla Walla City Council Pos. 4 – East Ward
G (Ted) Koehler v. James Powell
Walla Walla City Council Pos. 5 – West Ward
Sharon Kay Schiller v. Susan Smiley-Nakonieczny
Walla Walla City Council Pos. 7 – At Large
Steve Moss v. Julian Saturno
Port of Walla Walla Commissioner District 1
Kip Kelly v. Peter Swant
Prescott School District #402-37 School Director District 3
Karen S Tonne v. Kevin Lee Chabre
Touchet School District No. 300 Director Pos. 5
Lincoln Short v. Thomas McMakin
Waitsburg School District No. 401-100 Director Pos. 5
Pam Chapman v. Randy Hinchliffe
YAKIMA COUNTY – Voter Guide Candidate Races:
Grandview City Council Pos. 4
Gaylord Brewer v. Joseph Jensen
Granger Mayor
Jose Trevino v. Julie M. Sharp
Granger City Council Pos. 5
Hilda Guzmán v. Israel Bustamante Luevano
Moxee City Council Pos. 3
Maravell A. Gonsioroski v. David S. Mullen
Selah City Council Pos. 4
Clifford Peterson v. Buffy Ibach
Selah City Council Pos. 5
Roger L. Bell v. Ellen Overby
Selah City Council Pos. 7
Crispin Garza v. Russell Carlson
Selah School District #119 Director Pos. 2 At Large
Dan Peters v. AJ Cooper
Sunnyside City Council Pos. 5
Mike Farmer v. Julia Hart
Sunnyside City Council Pos. 7
Betty Lynn Garza v. Craig Hicks
Tieton Mayor
Dewane Ashbrooks v. Kenneth Mannin
Toppenish Mayor
Naila Prieto-Duval v. Randy Taylor
Union Gap City Council Pos. 5
David W. Matson v. David O. Hansen
Wapato Mayor
Keith Workman v. Joseph (JC) Wofford
Wapato City Council, Pos. 1
Timothy James Roa v. Chuck Stephens
Wapato City Council, Pos. 2
Jesse Farias v. Edwin Andrade
Wapato City Council, Pos. 4
Margaret Estrada v. Doug Milne
Wapato City Council, Pos. 5
Tony Guzmán v. Frances M. Ayers
Wapato City Council, Pos. 6
Judith Owens-Campos v. Rosemary “Rosie” Reyes
Wapato City Council, Pos. 7 At Large
Caroline Solis v. Karina M. Lara
Yakima City Council District 1
Eliana Macias v. Kenton Gartrell
Yakima City Council District 3
Patricia Byers v. Thomas B. Sund
Yakima City Council District 5
Soneya Lund v. Liz Hallock
Yakima City Council District 7
Holly N. Cousens v. Sarah Towell
Yakima School District #7 Director Pos. 5
Martha Rice v. Earl Steven Lee
Mount Adams School District Director District 2
Todd G. Spencer v. Shawna Young
Fire District #1 Commissioner Pos. 2
Phil Nelson v. George Town
Fire District #4 Commissioner Pos. 2
Patrick H. Nicholson, Jr. v. Les F. Riel
Understanding the initiatives and measures
Initiative 976
I-976 could drop car tabs to $30. One side says drivers can save money, but the other side says it will make roads more dangerous. Anti-tax advocate Tim Eyman co-sponsored the bill. The Office of Fiscal Management said state and local governments, including Richland, could lose more than $4 billion in the next six years if the initiative passes.
Referendum 88
Referendum 88 deals with affirmative action. If passed, the referendum would allow the state to implement affirmative action policies in public employment, education and contracting.
Resolution 8200
If passed, Resolution 8200 would authorize the Washington State Legislature to pass bills addressing the succession of powers and duties of public offices during periods of catastrophic incidents that are considered emergencies.
Benton County Fire District #1 – Proposition 2
The district wants voters to approve a $3 million bond to improve its fire department and buy a new fire engine. If approved, the maximum tax rate is estimated at $0.10 per $1,000 of assessed property valuation. The bond would be repaid from this annual property tax levy over 20 years.
Easton School District #28 – Proposition 1
The district wants voters to approve a tax to improve school facilities. It would levy the following excess taxes on taxable property within the district:
Estimated Levy Rates / $1,000
Collection Year Assessed Value Levy Amount
2020 $0.59 $340,000
2021 $0.59 $340,000
2022 $0.59 $340,000
2023 $0.59 $340,000
Prescott Joint Park and Recreation District – Proposition 1
The district wants voters to approve a levy to go toward maintenance and operation expenses. It would levy the following excess taxes on taxable property within the district:
Estimated Levy Rate / $1,000
Collection Year Assessed Value Levy Amount
2019/2020 $0.33 $123,000
Toppenish School District #202 – Proposition 1
The district wants voters to approve a levy to improve school facilities, including building a new gym at Toppenish High School. It would levy the following excess taxes on taxable property within the district:
Estimated Levy Rates / $1,000
Collection Year Assessed Value Levy Amount
2020 $2.50 $1,665,000
2021 $2.50 $1,665,000
2022 $2.50 $1,665,000
2023 $2.50 $1,665,000
2024 $2.50 $1,665,000
2025 $2.50 $1,665,000
Union Gap – Proposition 1
Voters are being asked whether the city shall be annexed to be part of the Yakima County Rural Library District.
Waitsburg Park and Recreation District – Proposition 1
The district wants voters to approve a levy to finance operations. It would levy the following excess taxes on taxable property within the district:
Estimated Levy Rate / $1,000
Collection Year Assessed Value Levy Amount
2019/2020 $0.10 $15,000
Umatilla County Special Election
County Charter Amendment to Change Law Enforcement Department to Sheriff’s Office
County Charter Amendment to Change Method of Election
Riverside Fire Protection District #7-406
Echo Fire District
Hermiston School District
Milton-Freewater Ambulance Service Area Health District 7-791
Formation of Milton-Freewater Valley Ambulance District
Advisory votes
There are 12 advisory votes on the ballot. They are non-binding and won’t change anything. Advisory votes allow voters to give a symbolic “yes” or “no” to revenue bills recently approved by the Legislature. The thought behind advisory votes is that lawmakers may see how voters feel about certain taxes (detailed below and in the voters guides) and perhaps send tax increases to the voters as a future referendum. This has not happened to date with the previous 19 advisory votes over the last 11 years.
Advisory Vote No. 20: Second Substitute House Bill 1087
The legislature imposed, without a vote of the people, an additional wage premium for long-term care services, costing an indeterminate amount in its first ten years, for government spending. Should this tax increase be repealed or maintained?
Advisory Vote No. 21: Engrossed Third Substitute House Bill 1324
The legislature extended, without a vote of the people, the business and occupation tax for extracting, manufacturing, and selling timber and timber-related products, costing $21,000,000 in its first ten years, for government spending. Should this tax increase be repealed or maintained?
Advisory Vote No. 22: Substitute House Bill 1652
The legislature increased, without a vote of the people, retail sales tax on architectural paint by adding an assessment to the purchase price, costing $6,000,000 in its first ten years, for government spending. Should this tax increase be repealed or maintained?
Advisory Vote No. 23: Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1873
The legislature imposed, without a vote of the people, a tax on the sale, use, consumption, handling, possession, and distribution of vapor products costing $178,000,000 in its first ten years, for government spending. Should this tax increase be repealed or maintained?
Advisory Vote No. 24: Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2158
The legislature imposed, without a vote of the people, an additional service and other business and occupation tax for certain specified business activities, costing $2,253,000,000 in its first ten years, for government spending. Should this tax increase be repealed or maintained?
Advisory Vote No. 25: Substitute House Bill 2167
The legislature imposed, without a vote of the people, an additional business and occupation tax for certain specified financial institutions, costing $1,036,000,000 in its first ten years, for government spending. Should this tax increase be repealed or maintained?
Advisory Vote No. 26: Substitute Senate Bill 5581
The legislature expanded, without a vote of the people, application of the state tax code to certain remote sellers, marketplace facilitators, and others, costing $1,051,000,000 in its first ten years, for government spending. Should this tax increase be repealed or maintained?
Advisory Vote No. 27: Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5993
The legislature increased, without a vote of the people, taxes on petroleum products, costing $2,760,000,000 in its first ten years, for government spending.
Advisory Vote No. 28: Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5997
The legislature increased, without a vote of the people, sales and use taxes on certain nonresidents by limiting the exemption applicable to them, costing $313,000,000 in its first ten years, for government spending. Should this tax increase be repealed or maintained?
Advisory Vote No. 29: Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5998
The legislature increased, without a vote of the people, the real estate excise tax on certain sales of real property, costing $1,747,000,000 in its first ten years, for government spending. Should this tax increase be repealed or maintained?
Advisory Vote No. 30: Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6004
The legislature increased, without a vote of the people, the business and occupation tax on certain travel agents and tour operators, costing $28,000,000 in its first ten years, for government spending. Should this tax increase be repealed or maintained?
Advisory Vote No. 31: Engrossed Senate Bill 6016
The legislature increased, without a vote of the people, the business and occupation tax on certain international investment management services, costing $367,000,000 in its first ten years, for government spending. Should this tax increase be repealed or maintained?
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