Ballots Mailed on Wednesday, July 17, 2019

Get ready to vote Whatcom County, Primary Election ballots are being mailed Wednesday, July 17th.  Voters can also expect to receive the Local Voters’ Pamphlet within a few days of the ballot, Auditor Debbie Adelstein said.  

Ballots can be returned in an official ballot drop box up until 8:00 pm on Election Day, August 6.  All 18 drop box locations are printed on the insert that is enclosed with the ballot as well as in the Local Voters’ Pamphlet.  

If you decide to return your ballot by mail, no stamp is needed. The ballot envelope will still need a postmark no later than Election Day, August 6, for your ballot to be counted, however.  The USPS recommends mailing your ballot one week before Election Day.  

If a voter doesn’t receive their ballot by July 26, they should call the Election Division of the Auditor’s Office at (360) 778-5102. 

For additional information contact:  County Auditor Debbie Adelstein at (360) 778-5105.

The League invites the public to attend two primary election events to learn about candidates appearing on the 2019 primary ballot. Both events will be held at Syre Auditorium, Whatcom Community College, 237 W. Kellogg Rd, Bellingham.  

Tuesday July 16, 2019  - 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm we will host the City of Ferndale and City of Bellingham Mayoral candidates.  

Saturday July 20, 2019 - 9:30 to 2:30 pm we will host candidates for the following races:

• 40th Legislative District Senate

• Whatcom County Council District 4

• Whatcom County Council District 5

• Whatcom County At-Large, Position B

• Whatcom County Executive

On July 20 there will be an opportunity for attendees to engage informally with the candidates during the lunch break.

All candidates who appear on the primary ballot for these races have been invited, and will participate in a moderated debate,. Attendees may submit their own questions for the candidates.

In Washington State primaries the top two candidates, regardless of party affiliation will advance to the General Election and voters do not need to declare their political party to vote in the Primary Election. Primary Election Day is August 6, 2019. 

This April, the League of Women Voters of Bellingham/Whatcom County, in partnership with the ASWCC Impact Club, asked this fundamental question: Is there a better way to elect a president?

In this public education program, participants explored the benefits and drawbacks of the Electoral College and the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. Attendees learned more about the complexities of choosing the electors who actually select the president

Did you know?

• Legislative proposals have been introduced in the United States Congress to reform or eliminate the Electoral College more than 700 times

• The League of Women Voters adopted a Statement of Position on Selection of the President in January 1970

• Five times in United States history the winner of the national popular vote did not win the Electoral College.

• We can elect the popular vote winner without a constitutional amendment.

Watch now: Is There a Better Way to Elect a President?

Is there a better way to elect a president? The League of Women Voters of Bellingham/Whatcom County, in partnership with the ASWCC Impact Club, invites the public to attend an education program about the benefits and drawbacks of the Electoral College and National Popular Vote Interstate Compact at Whatcom Community College on Tuesday, April 30, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Join us to learn more about complexities of choosing the electors who actually elect the President. Find out the pros/cons of the Electoral College method and how it might be changed by the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. We will present two short videos and speakers will offer an overview of each topic. The speakers will be joined by other experts to discuss related issues and answer your questions about the Electoral College, National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, and alternatives.  

The program will be held at the Syre Auditorium (235 W. Kellogg Road, Bellingham, WA 98226) and doors will open at 5:30 p.m. We welcome attendees to join us at that time to enjoy hearty appetizers and beverages before the program.

We encourage attendees to complete the pre-event survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ExpressYourViews

For more information about this program, contact Cindy Madigan at 360-734-2366 or by email at info@lwvbellinghamwhatcom.org.

Members of the community in the Lynden are invited to an informal gathering to learn more about the League and meet other League members in the neighborhood.

The League will be 100 years old in 2020, and we are looking forward to continuing as a strong, principled voice for civic engagement and voter education. Over the next year, we are increasing our efforts to connect with the cities and rural areas outside of Bellingham to support all of Whatcom County’s communities. We want to hear from all of our neighbors - their stories, concerns, and ideas - and learn new ways we can be helpful as we embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of our work as a volunteer community organization.

Join us to share your ideas, meet League members, and offer input on how the League may best support your community.

Jansen Art Center Library
321 Front Street, Lynden
Thursday, April 25
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Contact the League for more information at 360-734-2366 or info@lwvbellinghamwhatcom.org.