Several Close Races Hinge On Absentees Pend Oreille Sheriff Hopeful’S Lead Could Be Reversed In Final Tally

Thu., Sept. 17, 1998

By John Craig johnc@spokesman.com

Pend Oreille County residents will get a better idea today of who won Tuesday’s cliff-hanger Democratic sheriff’s primary.

Former Sheriff Tony Bamonte had a 24-vote lead, up one vote from election night, over incumbent Sheriff Doug Malby in the Democratic primary after 222 problem ballots were counted Wednesday. At least 319 absentee ballots are to be counted today.

Up to 883 more absentee ballots remained out Wednesday afternoon, but election officials say many of those ballots probably won’t be returned. They would have to be postmarked Tuesday or earlier.

Depending on the absentee ballots, either Bamonte or Malby will face Republican primary winner Jerry Weeks in the Nov. 3 general election.

Absentee ballots also could affect a one-year $58,000 operating levy for the Newport Cemetery District. The measure had 61.3 percent support, 1,404 to 888, Wednesday afternoon and state law requires a 60 percent majority for passage.

In Stevens County, a large number of absentee ballots could affect every contested race on the ballot, including three school measures and the primaries for county auditor and the District 2 county commissioner’s position. Election officials don’t plan to count any of the absentee ballots until the election is certified Sept. 25.

Kettle Falls Clerk-Treasurer Vickie Strong appears to have a commanding lead over incumbent Commissioner J.D. “Andy” Anderson in their Republican Party primary, 600-469, but at least 581 absentee ballots remain uncounted and up to 475 more still could be returned. The winner will face former County Commissioner Tom McKern in the general election.

But chances are slim that absentees could reverse Auditor Blanche Estep’s 916-vote lead in her three-way Republican primary.

Estep has 2,808 votes, compared with 1,892 for private appraiser Al Taylor and 494 for constitutionalist minister Samuel Porter Sr. There was no Democratic candidate.

Colville school officials can only hope that absentee voters have had a complete change of heart since April 1997, when absentees erased a tentative victory for a $1.9 million bond measure to renovate Colville Junior High School. This time, the measure is failing with only 55.8 percent support, 1,281 to 1,013, before at least 749 absentees weigh in.

A two-year, $50,000-a-year operating levy in the Northport School District so far is passing with 66 percent support, 200-94, but at least 113 absentee ballots are uncounted.

Similarly, a two-year, $75,000-a-year levy is passing with 64.8 percent support in the Valley School District, 129-72, but at least 43 absentee ballots are uncounted.

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