Letter from the Thurston County Auditor

Letter From the Thurston County Auditor

Dear Thurston County Voters:

I am proud to bring you the 2006 Primar y Election Special Edition Local Voters’ Pamphlet. We want you to be an informed voter who understands the pick-a-party primary and other changes in elections, so we have updated the look of the pamphlet. We made this change to provide you with more information in an easier to read format without increasing production costs.

Your participation in the Primary Election will help determine which candidates will advance to the General Election, so I encourage you to “Choose, Vote, and Return” ONE ballot. This election includes pick-a-party primaries for the two major political parties, Democratic and Republican, a Nonpartisan primary for judicial races, and a special election for some Thurston County districts. To be eligible to vote in the Primary Election, you must be a registered voter and live within the participating districts. For example, only registered voters who live within Commissioner District #3 will be eligible to vote on the County Commissioner race in the primary. All voters in the county will be able to vote for County Commissioner in the General Election.

I encourage you to take time to read through the candidate and issue statements in this pamphlet to familiarize yourself with them. Ballots will be in the mail by August 30, 2006. All you need to remember to vote the optical scan ballot is “Choose, Vote, and Return” ONE ballot. The best way to have your voice heard in your community is to vote in the September 19, 2006 Primary Election.

Sincerely,

Kim Wyman

Thurston County Auditor

Candidate/Issue

Statement Disclaimer

Candidate statements are printed as submitted. Spelling, grammatical, or other corrections may have been made at the discretion of the auditor. Candidate and “For and Against” statements are the opinions of the authors and have not been checked for factual or grammatical accuracy by any official governmental agency.

THANK YOU To The Following People . . .

for assisting in the production of this voters’ pamphlet: Mel Atwater, Ruth Cocuzzi, Gwen Cornelius, Ann Hunter, Kellee Keegan, Joyce Kiers, Keith Mullen, Carol Pfaff, Ken Raske, Mary Ann Shann-Fetty, Bill Snider, Lynnette Thornton, Yvonne Trail, Ginger Travis, Dave Valiant, and Tony Wickie.

For some Thurston County citizens, this election means they will be voting independently for the first time – Information below.

All citizens have the opportunity and ability to exercise one of their most fundamental rights - the right to vote independently and secretly.

Help America Vote Act

The 2002 Help America Vote Act (HAVA) significantly changed howelections are conducted across America. The Act requires that individuals with disabilities be able to cast their ballot without assistance. Recently, Thurston County purchased AutoMARK™ voting machines that will allow individuals with disabilities to vote a truly secret ballot for the first time.

What is AutoMARK™?

It is breakthrough ballot-marking technology, developed with input from election authorities and disability organizations, that allows voters with disabilities and other special needs to mark a ballot privately and independently. Even a temporary condition, such as a broken arm, could make it difficult for a person to mark a ballot. Voters must bring their mail-in ballot with them to use the AutoMARK™. Machines will be available for use at staffed drop box locations. See page 20 for listings.

AutoMARK™ Features

• An audio feature: a ballot can be read to voters who cannot otherwise see and/or read independently.

• A sip/puff tube: allows mobility impaired voters to utilize existing technology to vote.

• Braille/shaped touch pad: equipped with Braille and a shaped touch pad to allow blind voters to navigate through the ballot and mark their selections.

• High contrast & zoom functions: allows low-vision voters to make adjustments to meet their own specific needs.

• Does not record votes: this machine is used as a ballot marking device only – it does not electronically record any votes.

Thurston County Elections is working toward accessible voting for everyone.

On July 20, 2006, the Thurston County Auditor’s Office held the first meeting of the Voting Accessibility Advisory Committee. Interested citizens from Thurston County met with the auditor and staff to discuss how to reach out to individuals who could use our new accessible voting devices. The group also discussed how to increase voter registration among individuals with disabilities. Finally, the committee began strategic planning to make voting more accessible.

For more information:

If you want more information on the AutoMARK™, on future meetings of the Voting Accessibility Advisory Committee (VAAC), or to find out where you can use an AutoMARK machine beginning August 30:

please call

(360) 786-5408

(360) 754-2933 - TDD

or email

The challenge of the partnership between the VAAC and the Auditor’s

Office is to ensure that all citizens have the opportunity and ability to

exercise one of their most fundamental rights - the right to vote.

Primary Election Information – Pick-A-Party Primary

Every Voter in Thurston County will receive THREE ballots for the Primary Election: Democratic, Republican, and Nonpartisan.

Primary Election September 19, 2006. Voters must CHOOSE and VOTE ONE ballot.

You must either choose to vote for candidates from a single political party or to vote only nonpartisan races and issues. Party ballots include nonpartisan races and issues.

RETURN your ONE voted ballot to a ballot drop-off box by 8:00 p.m. on election day (sites listed on page 20), or mail your ballot, ensuring it is postmarked on or before election day.

You may destroy and discard or recycle the remaining two ballots.

If you do not follow directions carefully, some of your votes may not count. You may not cross-over vote. If you choose to vote on partisan races, you may
only vote for candidates from a single political party.

You may choose to vote ONLY the nonpartisan races by selecting the nonpartisan ballot.

Sign your return envelope and return only ONE ballot by election day.

Your privacy is protected. No record of the ballot you choose will be made, and ballot processing is done in a manner which protects the integrity and secrecy of your ballot choice.

WARNING:

To have your vote counted for party candidates you must FIRST, choose one party ballot.

SECOND, vote only for candidates of that party.

WRITE-IN VOTES for candidates of a different political party will not be counted.

VOTES FOR NONPARTISAN RACES will be counted regardless of which ballot you select.

Sample Ballot Instructions

This sample ballot contains all of the major political party candidates, nonpartisan candidates, and issues in the Primary Election. Only races in the districts in which you live will appear on your ballot. Three ballots will be provided to each voter, one for each major political party and a ballot with only nonpartisan races and issues. Partisan ballots will also include the nonpartisan races and ballot issues. Major political parties are the Democratic and Republican parties. Nonpartisan means any office without a party label.

You must CHOOSE, VOTE, and RETURN only one ballot. No record will be made of the ballot you choose. If you choose a partisan ballot, you may vote for all nonpartisan races and ballot issues on that ballot, as well as for candidates of the party you selected. If you select the nonpartisan ballot, you may only vote the nonpartisan races and issues. You may only vote one ballot. Destroy and discard the remaining two. To cast a write-in vote, write the candidate’s complete name and party, if applicable, on the line provided for that office, and fill in the bubble to the left of the write-in line. Write-in votes cast for candidates of a political party other than the party whose ballot you have chosen will not be counted. Write-in votes for nonpartisan races do not require a party designation.

REMEMBER: VOTE AND RETURN ONE BALLOT ONLY

Return only your one voted ballot and discard the remaining two. Follow the instructions on your security envelope. Signatures, stray marks, or comments written on the ballot could invalidate your ballot.

You may request a replacement ballot by

contacting the Thurston County Auditor’s Office

at (360) 786-5408.

How To Mark Your Ballot

To vote, completely fi ll in the bubble to the left of your desired candidate or response. Use a dark ink pen. Do not use a pencil or gel pen. If you are unable to see or read your ballot, please go to page 2 for information on disability access voting.

What To Do If You Make A Mistake

Mark an “X” through the incorrectly marked bubble and fi ll in the bubble to the left of the correct candidate or response. Do not erase any selection made in error.

DEMOCRATIC SAMPLE BALLOT:

Federal

U.S. Senator - 6 Year Term (5 democratic candidates) VOTE FOR ONE

Michael Goodspaceguy Nelson Democrat

Mike The Mover Democrat

Mohammad H. Said Democrat

Hong Tran Democrat

Maria Cantwell Democrat

U.S. Representative, District No. 3 - 2 Year Term (1 democratic candidate)VOTE FOR ONE

Brian Baird Democrat

U.S. Representative, District No. 9 - 2 Year Term (1 democratic candidate) VOTE FOR ONE

Adam Smith Democrat

State Legislative

Legislative District No. 2, State Representative

POSITION NO. 1 - 2 Year Term (1 democratic candidate) VOTE FOR ONE

Jean Marie Christenson Democrat

POSITION NO. 2 - 2 Year Term (3 democratic candidates) VOTE FOR ONE

Max J. Heller III Democrat

Jeff Stephan Democrat

Rick E. Payne Democrat

Legislative District No. 20, State Representative

POSITION NO. 1 - 2 Year Term (1 democratic candidate) VOTE FOR ONE

Mike Rechner Democrat

POSITION NO. 2 - 2 Year Term (no democratic candidates) VOTE FOR ONE

No One Filed Democrat

Legislative District No. 22, State Representative

POSITION NO. 1 - 2 Year Term (1 democratic candidate) VOTE FOR ONE

Brendan W. Williams Democrat

POSITION NO. 2 - 2 Year Term (1 democratic candidate) VOTE FOR ONE

Sam Hunt Democrat

Legislative District No. 35, Senator - 4 Year Term (2 democratic candidates) VOTE FOR ONE

Kyle Taylor Lucas Democrat

Tim Sheldon Democrat

Legislative District No. 35, State Representative

POSITION NO. 1 - 2 Year Term (1 democratic candidate) VOTE FOR ONE

Kathy Haigh Democrat

POSITION NO. 2 - 2 Year Term (1 democratic candidate) VOTE FOR ONE

William “Ike” Eickmeyer Democrat

Thurston County

County Assessor - 4 Year Term (1 democratic candidate) VOTE FOR ONE

Patricia Costello Democrat

County Auditor - 4 Year Term (1 democratic candidate) VOTE FOR ONE

No One Filed Democrat

County Clerk - 4 Year Term (1 democratic candidate) VOTE FOR ONE

Betty J. Gould Democrat

County Commissioner, District No. 3 - 4 Year Term (2 democratic candidates) VOTE FOR ONE

Dan Venable Democrat

Bob Macleod Democrat

County Coroner - 4 Year Term (1 democratic candidate) VOTE FOR ONE

Gary Warnock Democrat

County Prosecuting Attorney - 4 Year Term (1 democratic candidate) VOTE FOR ONE

Ed Holm Democrat

County Sheriff - 4 Year Term (1 democratic candidate) VOTE FOR ONE

Daniel D. Kimball Democrat

County Treasurer - 4 Year Term (2 democratic candidates) VOTE FOR ONE

Shawn Myers Democrat

Robin L. Hunt Democrat

Precinct Committee Officer (PCO) - 2 Year Term VOTE FOR ONE

Candidates from each of the two major political parties have filed in most of Thurston County’s precincts. Only candidates within your precinct, from the party you’ve selected, will appear on your ballot. Please refer to our website at or call us at (360) 786-5408 for a complete

list of all candidates for PCO.

Nonpartisan

State Judicial

Supreme Court Justice

POSITION NO. 2

Descriptors added to distinguish candidates with the same last name. All candidates for this office are attorneys, as required by law.

6 Year Term (5 candidates) VOTE FOR ONE

Michael Johnson, Attorney Nonpartisan

Stephen Johnson, Attorney/State Senator Nonpartisan

Richard Smith Nonpartisan

Norman J. Ericson Nonpartisan

Susan Owens Nonpartisan

POSITION NO. 8 - 6 Year Term (2 candidates) VOTE FOR ONE

John Groen Nonpartisan

Gerry L. Alexander Nonpartisan

POSITION NO. 9 - 6 Year Term (2 candidates) VOTE FOR ONE

Jeanette Burrage Nonpartisan

Tom Chambers Nonpartisan

Judicial Court of Appeals, Division 2, District No. 2

POSITION NO. 2 - 6 Year Term (1 candidate) VOTE FOR ONE

David H. Armstrong Nonpartisan

County Judicial

Superior Court Judge

POSITION NO. 8 - Short + 2 Year Term (4 candidates) VOTE FOR ONE

Joe Sloan Nonpartisan

Jim Powers Nonpartisan

Charles Williams Nonpartisan

Anne Hirsch Nonpartisan

Fire Protection District No. 4 – Rainier

Proposition No. 1 LEVY LID LIFT

The Board of Fire Commissioners of Thurston County Fire Protection District No. 4 adopted Resolution No. 2006-4, concerning a proposition to increase the regular property tax rate. This proposition would authorize the District to increase its regular property tax levy rate to $1.50 per one thousand dollars of assessed value to be levied in 2006 and collected in 2007 as provided in Resolution No. 2006-4.

Should this proposition be:

Approved

Rejected

Yelm Fire District

Proposition No. 1 LEVY LID LIFT

The Board of Fire Commissioners of Yelm Fire District adopted Resolution No. 145, concerning a proposition to increase the regular property tax rate. This proposition would authorize the District to increase its regular property tax levy rate to $1.50 per one thousand dollars of assessed value to be levied in 2006 and collected in 2007 as provided in Resolution No. 145.

Should this proposition be:

Approved

Rejected

BALLOTS SHOULD BEGIN ARRIVING August 31, 2006.

If you have not received your ballot by September 8, please

sent to you.

Remember, returned ballots must be postmarked by election day,

September 19, 2006. Depositing your ballot in a blue postal mail

box on election day does not guarantee a valid postmark regardless of pick-up times. Ballots can also be dropped off at one of the locations listed

on page 20.

REPUBLICAN SAMPLE BALLOT

If you choose not to select a party ballot you may only vote the nonpartisan ballot listed on page 8.

Federal

U.S. Senator - 6 Year Term (6 republican candidates) VOTE FOR ONE

Mike McGavick Republican

Brad Klippert Republican

William Edward Chovil Republican

Gordon Allen Pross Republican

Warren E. Hanson Republican

B. Barry Massoudi Republican

U.S. Representative, District No. 3 - 2 Year Term (2 republican candidates) VOTE FOR ONE

Michael Messmore Republican

Daniel R. Miller Republican

U.S. Representative, District No. 9 - 2 Year Term (1 republican candidate) VOTE FOR ONE

Steven C. Cofchin Republican

State Legislative

Legislative District No. 2, State Representative

POSITION NO. 1 - 2 Year Term (1 republican candidate) VOTE FOR ONE

Jim McCune Republican

POSITION NO. 2 - 2 Year Term (1 republican candidate) VOTE FOR ONE

Tom Campbell Republican

Legislative District No. 20, State Representative

POSITION NO. 1 - 2 Year Term (1 republican candidate) VOTE FOR ONE

Richard DeBolt Republican

POSITION NO. 2 - 2 Year Term (1 republican candidate) VOTE FOR ONE

Gary C. Alexander Republican

Legislative District No. 22, State Representative

POSITION NO. 1 - 2 Year Term (No republican candidate) VOTE FOR ONE

No One Filed Republican

POSITION NO. 2 - 2 Year Term (1 republican candidate) VOTE FOR ONE

Kevin Bonagofski Republican

Legislative District No. 35, Senator - 4 Year Term (1 republican candidate) VOTE FOR ONE

Mark E. Shattuck Republican

Legislative District No. 35, State Representative

POSITION NO. 1 - 2 Year Term (1 republican candidate) VOTE FOR ONE

Marco Brown Republican

POSITION NO. 2 - 2 Year Term (1 republican candidate) VOTE FOR ONE

Randy Neatherlin Republican

Thurston County

County Assessor - 4 Year Term(1 republican candidate) VOTE FOR ONE

Tom Crowson Republican

County Auditor - 4 Year Term (1 republican candidate) VOTE FOR ONE

Kim Wyman Republican

County Clerk - 4 Year Term(No republican candidate) VOTE FOR ONE

No One Filed Republican

County Commissioner, District No. 3 - 4 Year Term (1 republican candidate) VOTE FOR ONE

Kevin O’Sullivan Republican

County Coroner - 4 Year Term (1 republican candidate) VOTE FOR ONE

Terry L. Harper Republican

County Prosecuting Attorney - 4 Year Term (No republican candidate) VOTE FOR ONE

No One Filed Republican

County Sheriff - 4 Year Term (1 republican candidate) VOTE FOR ONE

Howard P. Thronson Republican

County Treasurer - 4 Year Term (No republican candidate) VOTE FOR ONE

No One Filed Republican

Precinct Committee Officer (PCO) - 2 Year Term VOTE FOR ONE

Nonpartisan

State Judicial

Supreme Court Justice

POSITION NO. 2

Descriptors added to distinguish candidates with the same last name. All candidates for this office are attorneys, as required by law.

6 Year Term (5 candidates) VOTE FOR ONE

Michael Johnson, Attorney Nonpartisan

Stephen Johnson, Attorney/State Senator Nonpartisan

Richard Smith Nonpartisan

Norman J. Ericson Nonpartisan

Susan Owens Nonpartisan

POSITION NO. 8 - 6 Year Term (2 candidates) VOTE FOR ONE

John Groen Nonpartisan

Gerry L. Alexander Nonpartisan

POSITION NO. 9 - 6 Year Term (2 candidates) VOTE FOR ONE

Jeanette Burrage Nonpartisan

Tom Chambers Nonpartisan

Judicial Court of Appeals, Division 2, District No. 2

POSITION NO. 2 - 6 Year Term (1 candidate) VOTE FOR ONE

David H. Armstrong Nonpartisan

County Judicial

Superior Court Judge

POSITION NO. 8 - Short + 2 Year Term (4 candidates) VOTE FOR ONE

Joe Sloan Nonpartisan

Jim Powers Nonpartisan

Charles Williams Nonpartisan

Anne Hirsch Nonpartisan

Fire Protection District No. 4 - Rainier