Low Voter Turnout Expected in Tuesday’s Primary Election

Not a lot of people are hearing the call to fill out their ballot from the Yakima County Auditors office.

Auditor Corky Holloway says about 17 percent of the 107,000 ballots sent to Yakima County voters have been returned to her office.

We’re expecting a low turnout maybe 34 percent.

Statewide Holloway says the vote is expected to be low not even topping 38 percent. Some voters say they are waiting until the general election and letting primary voters figure out the top two.

Voters in Yakima county will narrow the field of candidates in the both the Auditors office and the Yakima County Sheriff's office. Both incumbents are retiring along with 4th District Congressman Doc Hastings.

Voters in Yakima County will help voters throughout the 4th District choose a new representative in Congress. The big district covers Yakima, Douglas, Okanogan, Grant, Franklin, Adams and Benton counties.

In two of the races the candidates are asking for write in votes in races that were unopposed before the candidates decided to run. Curtis E. Vangstad of Zillah is a write-in candidate who wants the seat held by republican Rand Elliott’s for Yakima County Commissioner District 3. Yakima Attorney Michael Scott Brumback is a write-in candidate for the State seat held by 14th Legislative District incumbent Rep. Norm Johnson.

Many other two person races will use the primary as a measuring guide for the upcoming general election. Ballots need to be with the Yakima County Auditor's office by 8:00 p.m. Tuesday.