Washington voters soon will be receiving their ballots for the 2015 Primary, the eighth year in which the voter-approved Top 2 Primary system is being used to winnow down the number of candidates in races.

WA voters should check their mail over the next few days for their Primary ballot. County elections officials are mailing ballots this week to registered voters. Military and overseas ballots were sent out weeks ago.

This year’s Primary voting period ends Aug. 4 and features mostly local races. Nearly 85 percent of Washington’s voters will have at least one race on their ballot in the Primary.  Of the state’s 39 counties, only Columbia, Ferry, Klickitat, Pend Oreille and Wahkiakum don’t require a Primary this summer.

There are no races for congressional or statewide offices this year. There are two special legislative races to fill unexpired terms: a 30th District (Federal Way) battle between Democratic appointee Carol Gregory and Republican challenger Teri Hickel, and a 9th District (SE Washington) contest featuring Republican appointee Mary Dye and two challengers, Democrat Kenneth E. Caylor and Republican Richard Lathim. Our Elections Division has produced this online Voters’ Guide for the 9th District and 30th District races. In the 9th, the top two will advance, regardless of party preference.

Local races dominate this off-year election. This year’s Primary features more than 220 local contests (and 767 candidates), including nine Seattle City Council seats featuring 47 candidates.

Secretary of State Kim Wyman, Washington’s chief elections official, predicts a 26 percent Primary turnout.

Wyman encourages voters to take part in the Primary by filling out and returning their ballot in time for their vote to count.

“These local elections are very important to our daily lives, so I encourage voters to study the races and ballot measures and take a few minutes to fill out and return their ballot by Election Day,” Wyman said.

Ballots must be postmarked by Aug. 4 or returned to a ballot drop box by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Ballots can also be returned to accessible voting centers during business hours.

If you aren’t registered to vote in Washington, you have until July 27 to do so. You need to visit your county elections office to register in person.