Primary election – ho hum

Thurston County’s Primary Election isn’t drawing a lot of attention, or a lot of ballots.  To date, less than 12 percent of all ballots have been returned to the election’s office with about a week left to go.

“We have only one countywide race on the ballot, and that’s just a beauty contest,” said Thurston County Auditor Gary Alexander.   “I’m predicting about a 30 percent turnout over all.”   What Alexander didn’t say, is that the countywide race was his own contest.  Alexander is running for his current appointed seat against Mary Hall.   No matter the outcome, they’ll both be on the General Election ballot.

The bulk of the outstanding ballots, to come back,  will come back next week on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Alexander said such low voter response isn’t unusual in primary elections with no major contests.   In addition to the Thurston County Auditors race, there are city council contests in Tumwater, Tenino and Lacey.

All ballots have to be postmarked no later than next Tuesday.