The Kitsap Sun's voter guide to the Washington primary election 2024

It's a presidential election year, but at least in August the focus for Kitsap and Washington voters is on local issues and candidates.

The 2024 primary, for which registered voters have recently received their ballots, will include levy measures for six fire agencies, pick two contestants for a November Kitsap County commission matchup, and narrow the candidates in state legislative races, state offices from governor on down and for the Sixth District representative in Congress, where incumbent Rep. Derek Kilmer chose not to run for re-election.

Ballots have already been sent out of the Kitsap County Auditor. Voters in Washington state's all-mail election must postmark their ballots by Tuesday, Aug. 6, if sent through the U.S. mail. Alternately, ballots can be dropped off at a county elections box by 8 p.m. on Aug. 6, and vote centers are available the Saturday and Monday before election day, as well as on that Tuesday. For a list of locations of the 25 county ballot dropboxes, visit the Kitsap County Auditor's website, and vote centers are located at the Kitsap County Administration Building, 619 Division St. in Port Orchard; the Marvin Williams Recreation Center at 725 Park Ave. in Bremerton; and the Poulsbo Fire Station, 911 NE Liberty Road.

Haven't received a ballot yet?

Those who need to register to vote or change your address may do so online by Monday, July 29, at votewa.gov, or by mailing a registration form, found here. In person registration is available daily at the Kitsap County Administration Building until election day, and from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on election day at one of the three county vote centers. Those registering in person must sign a statement that you are a U.S. citizen and eligible to vote and provide a form of identification. The voting centers also offer services for those lost or did not receive their ballots in the mail, voters needing to change their addresses, and voters wishing to vote using the Accessible Voting Unit.

Start researching your votes with the Sun's election stories

Below, you can find a list of stories and candidate Q&As to research candidates and issues. Check back often as we continue to publish stories leading up to election day.

Ballot measures

Voters across the county will be asked to renew levy measures that fund fire agencies. On the list are an EMS levy for Bremerton Fire Department, a fire levy for Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue, an EMS levy for Poulsbo Fire Department, and a fire levy for North Kitsap Fire & Rescue.

• Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue levy lift to add staff, training

• Poulsbo asks voters to renew EMS levy

• North Kitsap fire asking voters to replace expiring EMS levy in August

• North Kitsap School District seeking facilities, technology capital levy

Kitsap County Commissioner

The commissioner position representing most of South Kitsap will host a new name by November, because Commissioner Charlotte Garrido did not file for re-election after four terms in the District 2 position. Six candidates will be on the August 6 ballot looking to advance to the general election.

• District 2 County Commissioner candidate answers on housing, homelessness

State legislative races

Voters across Kitsap County and North Mason will see contested primaries, with contests that have more than two candidates in the 23rd District, 26th District and 35th District. Read answers from each candidate who responded to a Kitsap Sun questionnaire at the links below to see where your potential choices are at on key issues.

• District 23, House - Position 1: Rep. Simmons draws two challengers in Washington primary

• District 23, House - Position 2: Four vying for 23rd District House position held by Nance

• District 23, Senate: Hansen faces two challengers, looks to retain appointed seat

• District 26, House - Position 1: Henderson, Young, Richards seek open seat in 26th District

• District 26, House - Position 2: Five candidates challenge Caldier for 26th District seat

• District 35, House - Position 2: Primary challengers emerge in Washington's 35th District for Couture

Sixth District Congress

Rep. Derek Kilmer's announcement last November that he would not run for re-election set off a flurry of political moves, resulting in two Democrats currently in state offices announcing their intention, as well as one Republican lawmaker. Below, read our Q&A interviews with those candidates and others hoping to make the top two in the race to represent the region in Congress.

• Washington 6th Congressional District: 3 candidates vie for open U.S. House seat

State offices

There's nearly 30 names of gubernatorial candidates to replace outgoing Gov. Jay Inslee, a primary for Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Insurance Commissioner and Commissioner of Public Lands. The Washington State Standard, a nonprofit news organization that covers state issues, is covering those races. Read about the candidates for governor here, and find more Washington State Standard coverage of state and federal primary races at this link.

This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Voter Guide: Washington primary election August 2024