First things first: The clock is ticking
You can check the status of your Washington voter’s registration at the state’s MyVote portal. Registrations have now closed. You have until Nov. 6 to get in your ballot. To count, ballots must be postmarked or placed in a local dropbox by 8 p.m. on Tuesday.
No stamps are necessary for mailing in ballots this year. If you’ve already returned your ballot, you can make sure it was received and accepted for tabulation through MyVote under Ballot Status.
What’s on the ballot for the Nov. 6 general election?
Not sure where to start? Check out our bare-minimum, must-know guide to your 2018 Whitman County ballot. It can help you keep state initiatives straight or help you decide which deserve more research. 
Voters will decide four countywide races: County Commissioner District No. 3, Auditor, Treasurer and District Court Judge. Five others races are uncontested: Sheriff, Prosecutor, Coroner, Assessor and County Clerk. A number of city and county propositions and levies will also go to a vote.
Beyond Whitman County, voters will consider federal races for the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives, two state legislative races and several state initiatives or advisories. Here’s a local sample ballot. And a state-level guide to upcoming measures. And the League of Women Voters personalized local elections guide.
WHITMAN COUNTY CONTESTED RACES (I will update with links to in-depth information on each candidate as I am able to collect it.)
County Commissioner District No. 3: County commissioners have approval authority over departmental budgets and handle many of the legislative functions at the local level. The position is full-time and will make $72,252 a year.
Michael Largent (Prefers Republican Party)
John-Mark Mahnkey (Prefers Democratic Party)
County Auditor: The Auditor’s Office oversees many key functions of the county government including elections, voter registration, licensing, document recording, payroll and other responsibilities. The position is full-time and will make $75,840 a year.
Eric Fejeran (Prefers Democratic Party)
Sandy Jamison (Prefers Republican Party)
County Treasurer: The Treasurer’s Office oversees collecting, investment and distribution of tax revenue as well as managing accounts for taxing districts within the county. The position is full-time and will make $75,840 a year.
Mark Clinton (Prefers Republican Party)
Christina (Chris) Nelson (Prefers Republican Party)
District Court Judge: John Hart (Nonpartisan) Rob Rembert (Nonpartisan)
WHITMAN COUNTY PROPOSITIONS AND LEVIES (I have sent questionnaires to local officials on these proposals and will add details as they are returned.)
Endicott Prop. 1: Levy for Fire and EMT protection
Farmington Prop. 1: Levy for current expense fund
Oakesdale Prop. 1: Shall the Town of Oakesdale levy a special tax of $14,000., an estimated $0.77 per $1,000 of 2018 assessed valuation for public safety to fund fire protection for the Town of Oakesdale for collection in 2019?
See next. (JJ)
Oakesdale Prop. 2: Shall the Town of Oakesdale levy a special tax of $41,000., an estimated $2.25 per $1,000 of 2018 assessed valuation for street work, street lights, street expenses and maintenance for the Town of Oakesdale for collection in 2019?
These two propositions maintain the same taxing levels of the past three years to extend the city’s fire and EMS contract with Whitman County Fire District 10 and fund street upkeep, according to Oakesdale clerk-treasurer Mary DeGon. “This funding helps us to provide services our community expects to meet their needs,” she wrote in an email. “This funding helps to manage a tight budget.” Without the levy, there would be no funding for fire service or street work. Anyone seeking more information can contact City Hall or check the Town’s newsletter for November. (JJ)
Palouse Prop. 1: Levy for street improvements and oiling
Palouse Prop. 2: Levy for operation and maintenance of swimming pool
Rosalia Prop. 1: Shall the Town of Rosalia be authorized to impose a special (excess) tax levy of $4.57 per $1,000.00 dollars of 2018 assessed valuation, to be collected in the year 2019, to collect $95,000 for the City Street Fund, to help defray the costs of street lights, seal coating, shoulder work, capital improvements, equipment and regular maintenance of city streets?
This proposition would enact a new tax levy to support street repairs and equipment replacements in addition to regular maintenance such as snow plowing and sanding. Rosalia clerk/treasurer Barb Leighton noted in an email that Street Department operations do not bring in independent revenue to support those city services. “If it’s not approved the street budget would not be able to cover a lot of those expenses and services would suffer,” she wrote. Anyone seeking more information on this levy can see a breakdown of the city’s previous Street spending here or go to: townofrosalia.net. (JJ)
St. John Prop. 1: Levy for street improvements and maintenance
St. John Prop. 2: Levy for water and sewer upgrades
Tekoa Prop. 1: Shall the City of Tekoa impose a special property tax levy upon taxable property within the City of Tekoa in the amount of $25,000.00, an estimated $.84 per $1,000.00 of assessed valuation in 2018 for collection in 2019, for ongoing oiling of gravel streets and chip sealing roads?
This annual levy would support continued efforts to improve roadways. Tekoa clerk/treasurer Kynda Browning writes in an email that the city asked for $50,000 last year to chip seal paved roads. They are seeking half that amount this year to continue those and other improvements. Anyone seeking more information can call City Hall at: (509) 284-3861. (JJ)
Whitman Fire Dist. 10: Levy for fire and EMS
Whitman Fire Dist. 11: The Board of Commissioners of Whitman County Fire Protection District #11 adopted Resolution 2018-7-12 concerning a proposition to establish its regular property tax levy for maintenance and operations to the amount not to exceed $1.00 per $1,000 of assessed valuation to be levied in 2018 for collection in 2019. The maximum allowable levy in 2018 shall serve as the base for computing subsequent levy limitations as provided by chapter 84.55 RCW
This proposed levy lid lift raises fire service rates from the previous longstanding rate of 52 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value to catch up with inflation, according to an email from Fire District No. 11. Requirements to meet fire protection insurance ratings have become more demanding while costs for firefighting equipment and personnel gear have increased. Without additional support, the district will not be able to safely outfit volunteer crews or maintain the district’s insurance rating. Anyone interested in more information on this proposed levy should contact their district fire commissioner. (JJ)
LaCrosse Parks Dist. 1: Levy for operation and improvements of swimming pool
St. John Parks Dist. 3: Levy for operating fund, swimming pool and capital outlay
Oakesdale Parks Dist. 4: Levy for operating and improving recreational facilities
Rosalia Parks Dist. 5: Levy to help pay for operation and maintenance of Rosalia Park and Pool
Endicott Parks Dist. 7: Levy for operating fund, swimming pool and capital outlay
Oakesdale Cemetery Dist. 1: Levy for improvements and maintenance of Oakesdale Cemetery
Whitman County Cemetery Dist. 2: Levy for operating and maintaining the cemetery
Whitman County Cemetery Dist. 4 (Endicott): The Commissioners of Endicott Cemetery District No. 4 adopted Resolution No. 2018-4, concerning a proposition to finance a maintenance and operation levy for the District. Will Cemetery District No. 4 be authorized to impose regular property tax levies of $20,000.00, an estimated rate of $0.26 per $1,000.00 of assessed valuation, for each of four consecutive years, to be collected in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022? This levy would renew an existing levy that expires in 2018.
This proposed levy would extend the previously existing tax rate an additional four years to support upkeep of the cemetery. Steven Laurens, secretary for Whitman County Cemetery District No. 4, wrote in an email the cemetery does not bring in enough revenue through plot sales and burials to cover the cost of operations. “Our groundskeeper works, on average, 30 hours a week and does a fantastic job of keeping the grass mowed and watered, and the trees trimmed,” he wrote. “Watering itself is expensive through many months of the year due to the electric costs of running the well pump.” Without the levy, the cemetery would not have sufficient funds. Anyone seeking more information on the levy can contact Laurens at: WhitmanCemetery4@pionnet.com. (JJ)