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Primary election ballots must either be postmarked by Tuesday or deposited in drop boxes by 8 p.m. A list of box locations and accessible voting locations can be found in the Voters’ Pamphlet or on the county auditor’s website, www.co.thurston.wa.us/auditor
Replacement ballots will be issued at the Thurston County Auditor’s Office, 2000 Lakeridge Drive S.W. in Olympia.
The Auditor’s Office will be open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday.
More than 97,800 people have registered to vote in the primary, said Lynnette Thornton, assistant manager of elections. As of Monday afternoon more than 18,000 ballots had been returned, about 18 percent of the registered voters.
Thornton said the office does not have an official prediction on expected voter turnout.
Races to watch
• Olympia Mayor: Mayor Pro Tem Stephen Buxbaum, Councilwoman Karen Rogers and former KGY radio host Dick Pust are running.
• Lacey City Council, Position 3: Councilman Jeff Gadman, who was appointed to fill an unexpired term in February, faces off against Lacey Planning Commissioner Raymond Payne and Washington State Patrol Lt. Mark Arras.
• City of Tumwater, Proposition 1, Fire and Public Safety Levy Lid Lift: Voters are being asked to approve or reject a property tax increase that would amount to $155 in additional taxes annually on a $231,000 home and generate about $1.44 million in additional revenue for the city in 2012. The 2012 levy rate would be $2.94 per $1,000 of assessed value. The city plans to use additional revenue to hire firefighters and police officers, expand the police station and set up a fund to purchase and replace aging fire engines.
Staff report
