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WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – General election ballots are now out in Whatcom County.
The auditor’s office mailed ballots and opened drop boxes on Wednesday, Oct. 14, for the Nov. 3 election. The local chapters of League of Women Voters have interviewed candidates in all relevant races on your ballot.
The upcoming election includes races for U.S. House in the 2nd Congressional District, four seats in the state House and one seat in the state Senate.
Incumbent Rick Larsen, Democrat, is facing off against Edwin Feller, Republican, for the House’s 2nd Congressional District seat. If reelected, Larsen will be serving his fourteenth term in the House of Representatives.
Local races include Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney and two seats on the newly-expanded Port of Bellingham Board of Commissioners.
Washington voters will also elect five new justices on the state Supreme Court.
WATCH: Supreme Court Candidates – League of Women Voters of Washington
As for ballot measures, three statewide initiatives deal with repealing the state’s so-called “millionaire’s tax,” transgender females in school sports and parents’ rights in schools.
The millionaire’s tax has been the subject of several lawsuits. Washington state’s Supreme Court has rejected both efforts to remove a financial disclosure statement from the ballot measure.
Local measures include levy lid lifts in Lynden and Whatcom County Fire District 1, along with changes to how the mayor’s salary is determined in Bellingham and banning algorithm-driven rent hikes in the city.
EXPLAINER: What is a lid lift? Levies explained – My Bellingham Now
Ballots are due in an official drop box by 8 p.m. on Nov. 3 or must be postmarked by Election Day, though the United States Postal Service recommends mailing them by Oct. 27 to ensure they’re postmarked on time.