The Washington "top two primary" allows voters to choose from among all candidates running for each office; voters are not required to declare a party affiliation or vote for candidates from only a single party in the primary.

For partisan offices, candidates must choose a political party preference (or "no preference"), which is listed on the ballot. The two candidates who receive the most votes in the primary election qualify for the general election, regardless of party.

Nonpartisan offices only appear in the primary election if there are three or more candidates that file for a particular office.

For this year's August 17 primary, ballots will be mailed approximately July 28. Since the office of PUD Commissioner District #1 features three candidates, this nonpartisan office will appear on ballots of voters in PUD District #1, and the top two vote winners will advance to the countywide general election.

There are six candidates for County Commissioner representing a variety of parties. Voters in County Commissioner District #2 will select from among these six, and the top two candidates, regardless of party, will advance to the countywide general election.

There are two candidates for District Court Judge. Since this is a nonpartisan race, these two candidates will go right to the general election and they always run countywide.

Several partisan county offices, such as Assessor, Treasurer, Auditor, Sheriff and Prosecutor, will appear on the primary ballot, but as there are fewer than three candidates for these offices, all will advance to the general election.

Please make sure you read all instructions that come in your ballot packet and make sure you sign the blue return envelope. Your ballot cannot be counted without a signature or if the signature does not match the signature on file in the Auditor’s office. More in depth rules are listed in R.C.W. 29A and WAC 434, and you may contact the Ferry County Auditor at 775-5200 for more information.