More ballots than expected arrive at elections office

Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey said this morning his office has received more primary election ballots than he anticipated.

On Tuesday evening, Kimsey estimated that there were 15,000 ballots yet to be counted. He revised that figure to 21,000.

Kimsey said about 15,000 ballots will be counted today and included in the updated results, which will be released at 5 p.m. today.

Results will also be updated Thursday.

Kimsey said 3,954 ballots were dropped off Tuesday at the red ballot box in downtown Vancouver, 10,361 ballots were retrieved from drop-off locations and 6,512 ballots arrived in the mail today.

The closest race involves Clark County Commissioner Marc Boldt. Tuesday’s results showed Republican David Madore in the lead by 250 votes over Democrat Roman Battan, with Boldt, a Republican, trailing Battan by 37 votes.

The top two finishers will advance to the Nov. 6 general election.

Tuesday’s preliminary results reflected a voter turnout of 21 percent. Kimsey estimates the final turnout will be 31 percent.