Today is Election Day. While an odd-year vote doesn’t generate the attention of a presidential election, it still is important. The people elected today will make decisions that directly impact the lives of Clark County residents.
All registered voters in Clark County should have received a ballot in the mail; they were sent out on Oct. 15. Ballots that have been filled out and signed must be postmarked by today if being returned by mail; postage is not necessary.
The Clark County Elections Office also provides 22 permanent ballot boxes throughout the region. Ballots must be dropped off by 8 tonight in order to be counted.
The importance of local elections has been witnessed this year in national controversies over school board decisions. With COVID-19 upending public education, school board meetings have become a lightning rod for protests.
With votes in the Battle Ground, Camas, Evergreen, Green Mountain, Hockinson, La Center, Mt. Pleasant, Ridgefield, Vancouver, Washougal and Woodland districts on the ballot, now is the time for voters to elect people who reflect their values. It is much more efficient and civil than protesting at a school board meeting.
Other items on the ballot include mayoral races and city council races throughout the county, plus one contest for Port of Vancouver commissioner and several Clark County charter amendments.
To help inform voters about these races, The Columbian’s Editorial Board has interviewed many candidates; unedited videos of the interviews are available online, and the Editorial Board has made recommendations for key races.
As always, these are merely recommendations designed to provide insight. Whether or not you agree with them, your opinion does not matter unless you fill out a ballot and return it to the elections office.
As an old axiom says, we get the government we deserve. That is particularly true if many decline to vote. We trust that most voters already have returned their ballots, but for the procrastinators among us, here is a recap of the Editorial Board’s recommendations, along with links to editorials that explain our thinking:
- Vancouver mayor: Anne McEnerny-Ogle is a clear choice.
- Vancouver City Council, Pos. 1: John Blom. Kim Harless also is a strong candidate.
- Vancouver City Council, Pos. 2: Erik Paulsen is a clear choice.
- Vancouver City Council, Pos. 3: Diana Perez is a clear choice.
- Port of Vancouver commissioner, Pos. 2: Eric LaBrant.
- Evergreen school board, District 1: Julie Bocanegra is a clear choice.
- Evergreen school board, District 5: Ginny Gronwoldt is a clear choice.
- Vancouver school board, Pos. 2: Sandra Zavala-Ortega is a clear choice.
- Vancouver school board, Pos. 3: Wendy Smith is a clear choice.
- State advisory votes: These are nonbinding votes that will have no impact.
- Clark County Charter Amendment No. 1: Approved.
- Clark County Charter Amendment No. 2: Approved.
- Clark County Charter Amendment No. 3: Approved.
- Clark County Charter Amendment No. 4: Rejected.
- Clark County Charter Amendment No. 5: Approved.
- Clark County Charter Amendment No. 6: Rejected.
- Clark County Charter Amendment No. 7: Approved.
- Clark County Charter Amendment No. 8: Approved.
- Clark County Charter Amendment No. 9: Rejected.
- Clark County Proposition No. 10: Yes.
