Ballots mailed to islanders for August primary

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, July 23, 2025

Ballots have been mailed out for this year’s August 5 primary election.

Candidates on the island have filed for seats on the island school district, health care district and more. But this primary probably won’t see many fireworks on Vashon. That’s because all races local to Vashon which have candidates have only seen one or two candidates file, meaning they will will advance to the November general election by default.

Islander Daniel Luechtefeld will challenge incumbent commissioner Amy Drayer for the #2 seat on the Vashon Island Fire & Rescue board.

Pharmacist Collin Hennessey and health educator Celia Cugudda have both filed for the #3 commissioner seat at the Vashon Health Care District, and current commissioner Rebecca Chavez and challenge Kelly Wright have both filed for the #4 commissioner seat. Chavez was appointed to fill the vacant seat of commissioner Alan Aman after his resignation from the board. Wright is the owner and managing physician of Vashon Natural Medicine, the only independent primary care clinic on Vashon Island.

The races in the state Legislature for the 34th district, which includes Vashon and West Seattle, saw no challengers to incumbent State Sen. Emily Alvarado and Rep. Brianna Thomas — the latter who was appointed to her representative seat in January. They are both running unopposed.

Islanders, like the rest of the county, will also select the top two candidates for county executive from a crowded field.

Also consequential for the island is Proposition 1, which renews funding for the Parks, Recreation, Trails, and Open Space Levy. Over the decades the levy has been in effect, it has been used to provide substantial funding for county projects on Vashon, including maintaining and enhancing county parks and trails, as well as funding major land acquisitions on Vashon. It allocates $75,000 per year to the Vashon Park District.

Election day is Aug. 5. Ballots must be postmarked by that day or returned to a ballot drop by by 8 p.m. to be counted. On Vashon, the sole ballot drop box is located next to the Vashon Library by Ober Park.

You can register to vote online at the Washington Secretary of State’s website, but must do so by July 28 (eight days in advance) to vote in the primary. You can also register by mail or in person.

Registrations by mail must be received, not postmarked, by the eight-day deadline. You can register in-person through election day at the King County Elections Office in Renton, 919 SW Grady Way, Suite 100 Renton, WA 98057.