PORT TOWNSEND — Thirteen percent of Jefferson County voters who are eligible to participate in the primary election had returned a ballot by Wednesday.
Voter registration coordinator Betty Johnson said 1,944 of the 14,901 ballots issued had been processed by Wednesday. That’s 13.05 percent.
Only voters living in the Port of Port Townsend districts 2 and 3 — and voters in Jefferson County Fire District No. 4 (Brinnon) — received a primary ballot.
Those are the only contested races in the county.
Incumbent Dave Thompson is being challenged by Bob Schuessler and David Whipple for position No. 2 on the port commission.
Douglas Breithaupt and Leif Erickson are challenging incumbent Herb Beck for port commissioner No. 3.
The top two candidates in the Aug. 18 primary advance to the Nov. 3 general election.
There is also a levy proposed by the Brinnon Fire District to assess 50 cents per $1,000 valuation to pay for emergency medical services.
The return rate was similar in Clallam County, where 12.91 percent of primary voters had returned a ballot.
As of Wednesday, 1,444 of the 11,184 ballots mailed for the contested Port Angeles City Council seat had been returned.
Clallam County Auditor Patty Rosand said her office received an additional 673 ballots Wednesday.
Four candidates — Rick Burton, Edna Petersen, Peter Ripley and Max Mania — are running for the City Council’s No. 2 seat.
There are no other contested races in Clallam County.
Primary ballots were mailed July 28.
Ballots for the general election will be issued Oct. 14.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
