Sequim Gazette staff

The ballot may read Port of Port Angeles, but the Aug. 6 primary election has a distinct Sequim feel.

All three candidates for the Port’s Commissioner District No. 1 — incumbent Paul McHugh, Del DelaBarre and Colleen McAleer — are Sequim residents.

Sequim-area residents get a say in two of three races in the Aug. 6 primary election. Along with the port commissioner position is the Fire District 3 Commissioner No. 3 position, with incumbent James Barnfather in the race against Charles Perdomo and Sean Ryan.

Both port and fire district positions are nonpartisan races and six-year terms.

Also on the primary ballot is Port Angeles School District Director Position 1, a four-year term; candidates are incumbent Sarah Methner, Debby Fuson and David Tietz.

The top two candidates in each race move on to the general election, set for Nov. 5.

Getting out the vote

Ballots are mailed today, July 17, for the primary. About 87 percent of voters in Clallam County will be mailed ballots.

Voters in the West End of the county will not receive ballots as no office had three candidates.

The cutoff for registering to vote in person is July 29.

Voters who think they should have received a primary ballot by Tuesday, July 23, but have not should call the Clallam County Auditor’s office (417-2221) to verify their address and request a replacement ballot.

Ballot drop boxes at the Clallam County Courthouse, 223 E. Fourth St, Port Angeles, and at Sequim City Hall, 152 W. Cedar St., Sequim, will be open for ballot deposit beginning today, July 17.

Following the Aug. 6 primary election, certification of the election will be on Aug. 20.

Register to vote for the general election by Oct. 7; ballots for the general election are mailed Oct. 16.

Port controversy

Three candidates are vying for the Position 1 seat on the Port of Port Angeles Commission. Read more here.

The race has drawn a great deal of attention due to the recent resignation of Port Executive Director Jeff Robb, who was immediately rehired by a majority of the sitting commissioners in a lesser position.

The move stemmed in part from a whistleblower complaint filed by McAleer, an employee of the Port and candidate for the Position 1 seat.

Fire district race

In the race for Clallam County Fire District 3, Commissioner 3, incumbent and Seattle Fire Department veteran Barnfather faces two challengers: Perdomo, a former Miami Dade Fire Rescue lieutenant, and Ryan, a local volunteer firefighter. Read more here.