At the county Auditor’s Office, Elections Supervisor Michele Reagan is seeing a slow trickle of ballots that is all too familiar. With just days until the August primary, only a small percentage of Island County’s roughly 52,000 registered voters have submitted their ballots.

Just over 9,000 ballots to be exact, said Reagan.

“It’s not unusual to have a small turnout for the primary, and Island County actually has a very high turnout rate for the November elections–about 85 percent usually,” said Reagan, who has worked at the elections office for 12 years.

“But we should see a lot more coming in soon, hopefully before the deadline.”

Voters on Whidbey and Camano islands have until Aug. 2 to postmark their ballots.

Three candidates are running to be Island County commissioner for District 2, which essentially  covers the city of Oak Harbor.

Only those people in the district will vote on the candidates in the primary.

Running for the four-year position are Republicans Dustin Amundson and incumbent Commissioner Jill Johnson. Democrat John Fowkes is also running.

If re-elected, Johnson said she will prioritize local spending on services that matter most to her constituents, such as public safety, health and access to mental health treatment and services. She said she would work to ensure county government is not overreaching, while also providing services that are tangible.

“My philosophy is give people the services that they really need and desire at the most affordable and efficient rate,” Johnson said.

“Be simple and focused, and be efficient.”

Amundson said he wants to get the county back to providing essential services

“Having worked with the county for 10 years, a lot of what we say we’re doing, we’re simply not,” he said.

“We can do better.”

Amundson said he would look to make long-term improvements to the county’s development and housing plans and labor management if elected. One of his top priorities, Amundson said, is allowing citizens to dictate the level of government involvement when it comes to new areas of need.

“We shouldn’t be inserting ourselves into citizen’s lives at will, but let them tell us what they want and what is needed,” he said.

“That need should be dictated by the voters, so I believe in small government that does strictly what they’re supposed to do.”

Fowkes said his focus would be on increasing affordable housing, ecotourism and the county’s planning staff and capacity if elected.

Fowkes said he would partner with local agencies and listen to his constituents’ suggestions.

Fowkes said he would also delve into the long-term effects of global warming on both islands and how to address the issue at the county level.

“I’m a person for the people and I want everyone to feel heard,” Fowkes said. “I think we need a voice for the people and I’m looking to be that.”

Voters will also weigh in on the race for state senator.

Sen. Barbara Bailey, R-Oak Harbor, is running for re-election. She’s challenged by Angie Homola and Nick Petrish, both Democrats.

Homola, a former Island County commissioner, said she plans to serve the interests of the people by closing tax loopholes, promoting jobs with equitable wages and providing public services if elected.

Homola said she would also work to “meet our state’s mandate and morale obligation to fund public education” and improve affordable and low-income housing, mental health services and senior assisted care.

“I believe my job as an elected official is to inform the electorate so they can make knowledgeable decisions about their future,” she said.

“I’ll fight for policies that promote a good quality of life for today and tomorrow’s generations.”

Petrish said his priority would be upholding the Bill of Rights while addressing the great need for state funded public education and veterans services, such as housing and retraining.

Petrish said he would work to protect women’s reproductive rights, citizens’ gun rights and union workers’ rights.

“I’m absolutely willing to hammer out a plan that’s going to work and not stall our efforts,” he said. “I’m all about getting things done while balancing what the people I represent want.”

Bailey said she would continue to turn to citizens for their top needs and priorities if re-elected. Such issues would include increasing jobs and veteran services, funding public education and continue improving state transportation.

Bailey said she would work to do so without increasing taxes and continuing to maintain a balanced state budget.

“Government should not be an entity that functions outside of the needs of the people,” Bailey said. “It’s a resource and I want to continue to be a resource through my experience and knowledge.”

Both the county commissioner and state senate seat will be narrowed to two candidates following Tuesday’s election.

Reagan said Island County votes will be tallied once the last ballots are delivered to the elections office.