Jenelle Baumbach

Simon Krane transfers ballots into boxes at the county elections center on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

What you need to know on primary election day in Snohomish County

Turn in your ballot — in-person, by mail or by ballot box — to make sure your vote counts on a number of important local races.

 

Top row: Joshua Binda, left, Jason Call, Cody Hart, Devin Hermanson. Bottom row: Leif Johnson, left, Rick Larsen, Daniel Miller, Edwin Stickle

Larsen faces 7 challengers to represent Everett in Congress

As he seeks a 13th term, Rep. Rick Larsen faces competitors from the left and right, including Lynnwood City Council member Josh Binda.

 

Top row: Riaz Khan, left, Jason Moon, Strom Peterson. Bottom row: Lillian Ortiz-Self, left, Kristina Mitchell, Bruce Guthrie

Education, housing top issues in races to represent Edmonds, Mukilteo

Strom Peterson and Lillian Ortiz-Self are both running for their sixth terms in Olympia. They each face multiple challengers.

 

Riaz Khan finally wins office on his fifth try. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Mukilteo state House candidate arrested weeks before jumping into race

The misdemeanor domestic violence case against Riaz Khan, a former Mukilteo City Council member, has since been dismissed.

Riaz Khan finally wins office on his fifth try. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
A wall diagram shows the “journey of the ballot” at the new Elections Center on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Snohomish County primary election ballots shipped to registered voters

This year’s primary election will feature races in every corner of the county. Turn in a ballot by Aug. 6 to ensure your vote is counted.

A wall diagram shows the “journey of the ballot” at the new Elections Center on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Lynnwood appoints new council member after abrupt resignation

Derica Escamilla will take the seat vacated by Shirley Sutton in May, who claimed the city had a “total lack of leadership.”

Everett police officers survey the scene of a shooting along East Casino Road on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Voters to decide on 0.2% sales tax increase for criminal justice

The tax is expected to bring in $39 million a year. It would cost the average Snohomish County resident an extra $46.58 per year.

Everett police officers survey the scene of a shooting along East Casino Road on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Bruce Guthrie outside the Frances Anderson Center, a public park owned by the city of Edmonds. Guthrie was arrested by arrested by Edmonds Police during the Edmonds Arts Festival for soliciting signatures on a petition to get Libertarian presidential candidate Chase Oliver on Washington’s ballot this year. (Photo provided by Bruce Guthrie)

Edmonds state House candidate gets trespassing charge dropped

Bruce Guthrie was arrested at the Edmonds Arts Festival last month for soliciting signatures for a Libertarian presidential candidate.

Bruce Guthrie outside the Frances Anderson Center, a public park owned by the city of Edmonds. Guthrie was arrested by arrested by Edmonds Police during the Edmonds Arts Festival for soliciting signatures on a petition to get Libertarian presidential candidate Chase Oliver on Washington’s ballot this year. (Photo provided by Bruce Guthrie)
Snohomish County Auditor Garth Fell talks about the new Elections Center during a tour on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

New Everett elections center aims to provide transparency, security

For the first time, the 17,000-square-foot facility will bring all parts of the ballot counting process into one space.

Snohomish County Auditor Garth Fell talks about the new Elections Center during a tour on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Kim Schrier, left, Suzan DelBene, Rick Larsen

Amid calls for president to drop out, Everett’s Larsen still on ‘Team Biden’

The presidential debate last month raised renewed concerns about the president’s health. Snohomish County’s reps still back him.

Kim Schrier, left, Suzan DelBene, Rick Larsen
A 10 acre parcel off of Highway 99, between 240th and 242nd Street Southwest that the city of Edmonds is currently in the process of acquiring on Monday, July 10, 2023 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Edmonds ditches $37M Landmark public park project off Highway 99

The previous mayor envisioned parks and more in south Edmonds, in a historically neglected area. The new administration is battling budget woes.

A 10 acre parcel off of Highway 99, between 240th and 242nd Street Southwest that the city of Edmonds is currently in the process of acquiring on Monday, July 10, 2023 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Amadea, a superyacht, docked at the Port of Everett on Monday, April 29, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Say ‘bon voyage’ to seized Russian superyacht departing Everett

The Amadea, with an estimated value more than $300 million, spent two months in the Puget Sound for “routine, scheduled maintenance.”

Amadea, a superyacht, docked at the Port of Everett on Monday, April 29, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Liz Skinner, right, and Emma Titterness, both from Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County, speak with a man near the Silver Lake Safeway while conducting a point-in-time count Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, in Everett, Washington. The man, who had slept at that location the previous night, was provided some food and a warming kit after participating in the PIT survey. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Will Supreme Court ruling on homelessness have ripple effect in Everett?

Local reaction was mixed. Everett City Council member Liz Vogeli called the decision “disturbing and reprehensible.” Marysville’s mayor called it common sense.

Liz Skinner, right, and Emma Titterness, both from Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County, speak with a man near the Silver Lake Safeway while conducting a point-in-time count Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, in Everett, Washington. The man, who had slept at that location the previous night, was provided some food and a warming kit after participating in the PIT survey. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
A speed camera facing west along 220th Street Southwest on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Red light cameras coming to 2 busy Edmonds intersections

The city is trying a new way to tame traffic — while generating revenue — at intersections on Highway 99 and Edmonds Way.

A speed camera facing west along 220th Street Southwest on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Naiyah Smith, 6, uses a large golden shovel to break ground with a handful of her school mates at Oak Heights Elementary on Tuesday, June 25, 2024 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Students, staff say so long to ‘decrepit’ elementary school near Lynnwood

Built in 1967, Oak Heights Elementary School is “beyond repair,” its principal said. New buildings are expected to open in 2026.

Naiyah Smith, 6, uses a large golden shovel to break ground with a handful of her school mates at Oak Heights Elementary on Tuesday, June 25, 2024 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Firefighter hopefuls suit up during the Future Women in EMS/Fire Workshop on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at the South County Fire Training Center in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

To fill gap, Snohomish County tries new approach to recruit women firefighters

About 30 women tried on bunker gear, pulled rope and worked chainsaws at a first-of-its-kind workshop Saturday.

Firefighter hopefuls suit up during the Future Women in EMS/Fire Workshop on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at the South County Fire Training Center in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Bruce Guthrie outside the Frances Anderson Center, a public park owned by the city of Edmonds. Guthrie was arrested by arrested by Edmonds Police during the Edmonds Arts Festival for soliciting signatures on a petition to get Libertarian presidential candidate Chase Oliver on Washington’s ballot this year. (Photo provided by Bruce Guthrie)

Edmonds state House candidate arrested collecting petition signatures

Bruce Guthrie believes the city violated his First Amendment rights by arresting him at an event in a public park, making him a “political prisoner.”

Bruce Guthrie outside the Frances Anderson Center, a public park owned by the city of Edmonds. Guthrie was arrested by arrested by Edmonds Police during the Edmonds Arts Festival for soliciting signatures on a petition to get Libertarian presidential candidate Chase Oliver on Washington’s ballot this year. (Photo provided by Bruce Guthrie)
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Edmonds funds embedded social worker, for now, after contract ends

Compass Health canceled the program in south Snohomish County. The city is funding the police-embedded position for a few more months.

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Grauates throw their caps in the air at the end of Arlington High School graduation at Angel of the Winds Arena on Thursday, June 13, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

‘So worth it’: Snohomish County graduates step into their futures

Alyssa Acosta, who is Harvard-bound, was one of thousands to walk the stage at Angel of the Winds Arena this month to get high school diplomas.

Grauates throw their caps in the air at the end of Arlington High School graduation at Angel of the Winds Arena on Thursday, June 13, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds City Council members answer questions during an Edmonds City Council Town Hall on Thursday, April 18, 2024, in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Edmonds begins process to join South County Fire

To avoid a lapse in services, the city will likely come to voters in April asking for their final approval.

Edmonds City Council members answer questions during an Edmonds City Council Town Hall on Thursday, April 18, 2024, in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)