Officials urge Clark County voters to turn in ballots

There are only a few days left to return your ballot in this year’s special election, and with snow in the forecast, the Clark County Elections Office is telling voters not to wait until the last minute.

Tuesday’s special election encompasses school funding measures across most of Clark County. As of Friday, 23.41 percent of the 201,436 eligible voters had returned their ballots.

Auditor Greg Kimsey urged voters to get their ballots in soon, in light of forecasted winter weather, which could result in Election Day-only ballot sites such as schools or churches being closed. Postage is paid for on ballots, meaning voters don’t need a stamp to send their votes in by mail.

Voters can also deposit their ballots in one of seven permanent drive-up ballot boxes, which are open 24 hours a day, until 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Voters are considering the following measures:

• A school programs renewal levy and technology levy in Evergreen Public Schools.

• A school programs renewal levy and technology levy in the Hockinson School District.

• A school programs renewal levy in the La Center School District.

• A $77 million school bond for new and improved facilities in the Ridgefield School District.

• A school programs renewal levy and technology levy in Vancouver Public Schools.

Both school programs and technology levies must pass with majority support. Technology levies can only be approved if the districts’ school programs levies also pass. Ridgefield’s bond, meanwhile, requires a 60 percent supermajority to pass.

Ballots must be postmarked by Tuesday, or returned to a ballot drop off site by 8 p.m. Initial results will be posted shortly after 8 p.m. Visit columbian.com Tuesday evening, or follow the results on Twitter using #ClarkElex for updates as results are released.