Auditor prepares primary election pamphlet

"The Island County Voters Pamphlet for the primary election is scheduled to be mailed out the last week of August, according to Auditor Suzanne Sinclair.The four-page pamphlet presents the local candidates and issues that will appear on the Sept. 19 primary election ballot. The mail-out is timed to coincide with the mailing of absentee ballots, which occurs about three weeks before the election.The major issue in the pamphlet is a proposal from Whidbey General Hospital for a bond issue that would cost property owners 26 cents per thousand dollars of assessed value. Proceeds would be used for hospital expansion.Bond proponents say the tax is simply an extension of an existing bond, and property owners won’t see any difference in their tax statements. Sinclair said she was unable to find an opponent to present a negative argument in the Voters Pamphlet.The only contested elected office in the primary is that of Island County Commissioner from the Oak Harbor area. Incumbent Mac McDowell is being challenged by fellow Republican Marvin Koorn.The Voters Pamphlet will also list polling places. Sinclair said this is particularly important in Oak Harbor where school remodeling has forced some changes.This is only the second Voters Pamphlet produced in Island County. Sinclair said the first effort last year was well received. “Everybody loved it,” she said. However, it was received late by some early absentee voters, so Sinclair will mail this year’s edition a bit earlier.The cost of the Voters Pamphlet is divided among the jurisdictions included. The primary pamphlet will be paid for by the county and hospital district. The cost will be a total of $3,000 for printing and mailing.There will also be a local voters pamphlet prepared for the general election in November. "

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