A weekly look back compiled by the Clark County Historical Museum from The Columbian archives available at columbian.newspapers.com or at the museum.
100 years ago
On Nov. 2, 1922, Auditor L.J. Garrett began distributing ballot boxes to all 55 precincts in Clark County. Voters had the chance to elect a Superior Court judge and a new slate of county officials, save for one county commissioner who had two more years on his term.
75 years ago
Early in November 1947, The Columbian reminded readers to register to vote or risk losing eligibility for a special election in December. Voters had the chance to decide on school board members and if the city would have a special census. L.M. Burnett went on to retain his seat on the Vancouver school board, but the special census didn’t pass. The Columbian noted “little interest” in the election throughout the county.
50 years ago
A petition to change Vancouver’s council-manager government gained enough signatures to put it to a citywide vote. Richard Meserves, who argued the city ran inefficiently and spent too much money, spearheaded the effort, which appeared on the ballot during a June 5, 1973, special election. Despite a “slim turnout,” voters rejected the city charter change.
