DAYTON–Over a year of campaigning at the national level, and races and issues at the local level will culminate on November 3 when ballots for the 2020 General Election are due. Ballots must be in by 8 p.m., Tuesday, November 3, either by U.S. Postal Service delivery, or by dropping ballots at one of three locations in Columbia County: the Auditor's Office in the Courthouse at 341 E. Main, or in the official drop box in the alley behind the Courthouse, or at Starbuck City Hall, 200 Main Street, Starbuck.

As of press deadline this week, 63.1% of Columbia County voters had returned their ballots, according to the Washington Secretary of State, with 1,776 ballots out of 2,816 Columbia County voters being counted.

The long-anticipated General Election will determine the next United States presidential administration, as well as federal, state and local offices and state referenda, a proposed constitutional amendment and advisory votes.

Columbia County Flood Control Zone District is also proposing a General Excess Levy for the operation and maintenance of the Flood Control Zone District. Columbia County Commissioners proposed the levy on all taxable property at $0.10 per $1,000 of assessed value. The funds, if the measure is approved, would make District-wide improvements and fund public outreach and studies to achieve goals established by the District.

County offices on the ballot are Commissioner Districts one and two. Incumbent Commissioner Ryan R. Rundell, who represents District 1, is unopposed, while District 2 is a race between incumbent Mike Talbott and Tucannon District agricultural producer Marty Hall. All three prefer the Republican party.

In the 16th Legislative District, incumbent Republican Skyler Rude is facing off against Carly Coburn, a Democrat, for Representative Pos. 2. The open Pos. 1 seat is being vied for by Republican Mark Klicker and Democrat Frances Chvatal. For the State Senate post for District 16, vacated by the retirement of Sen. Maureen Walsh (R), Perry Dozier (R) and Danielle Garbe Reser (D), both seek the office.

State candidates start with the governor, with incumbent Jay Inslee (D) facing Loren Culp (R). Lt. Governor has two Democrats on the ballot, Denny Heck and Marko Liias. Joshua Freed, a Republican who was edged from the governor race in the Primary Election, has mounted a write-in campaign for lieutenant governor.

Incumbent Secretary of State Kim Wyman (R) faces Democrat Gael Tarleton. There's a race for State Treasurer between incumbent Duane A. Davidson (R) and challenger Mike Pellicciotti (D).

Bob Ferguson, the Democratic incumbent, will be challenged by Republican Matt Larkin for the office of State Attorney General. The Commissioner of Public Lands office finds incumbent Democrat Hilary Franz against Sue Kuehl Pederson, Republican.

Superintendent of Public Instruction is a nonpartisan office held by Chris Reykdal, who is being challenged by Maia Espinoza. Democrat incumbent Mike Kreidler is the Insurance Commissioner, and he is being challenged by Chirayu Avinash Patel, a Republican.

United States Representative for the Fifth Congressional District is also on the ballot with incumbent Republican Cathy McMorris Rodgers facing Democrat Dave Wilson.

On the ballot for president are Joseph R. Biden/Kamala D. Harris, Democratic nominees; Donald J. Trump/Michael R. Pence, Republican nominees; Jo Jorgensen/Jeremy "Spike" Cohen, Libertarian Party nominees; Howie Hawkins/Angela Walker, Green Party nominees; Gloria La Riva/Sunil Freeman, Socialism and Liberation Party nominees; and Alyson Kennedy/Malcom M. Jarrett, Socialist Workers Party candidates.

Nonpartisan judicial offices are:

Supreme Court Justice Position 3: Dave Larson and Raquel Montoya-Lewis.

Supreme Court Justice Position 4: Charles W. Johnson.

Supreme Court Justice Position 6: Richard S. Serns and G. Helen Whitener.

Supreme Court Justice Position 7: Debra L. Stephens.

Asotin, Columbia, Garfield Superior Court Judge, Pos. 1: Brooke J. Burns and G. Scott Marinella.

Referendum Measure No. 90 asks voters if approve or reject comprehensive sexual health education, requiring school districts to adopt or develop, consistent with state standards, comprehensive age-appropriate sexual health education, as defined, for all students, and excuse students if their parents' request.

Advisory Vote No. 32 concerns Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5323, asking voters to repeal or maintain a retail sales tax on pass-through charges retail establishments collect for specified carryout bags, costing #32,000,000 in its first ten years for government spending.

Advisory Vote No. 33 concerns Substitute Senate Bill 5628, asserting the legislature imposed, without a vote of the people, a tax on heavy equipment rentals to consumers by heavy equipment rental property dealers, costing $103,000,000 in its first ten years for government spending.

Advisory Vote No. 34 concerns Engrossed Substitute Bill 6492, which the legislature increased, without a vote of the people, the business and occupation tax rate for certain businesses, costing $843,000,000 in its first ten years for government spending.

Advisory Vote No. 35 concerns Engrossed Senate Bill 6690, regarding a tax increase on manufacturers of commercial airplanes, including components or tooling, costing $1,024,000,000 in its first ten years, for government spending.

The proposed Constitutional Amendment concerns investment of public funds, and if approve, would allow public money held in a fund for long-term care services and supports to be invested by governments as authorized by state law, including investments in private stocks.