Government : What's a Primary Election and why is it important?

Politics can sometimes be confusing for those of us who aren't familiar with the process and how elections work. I'll try to break it down for you.

The Primary - is the elimination phase for the November Ballot. On Tuesday, June 2, 2026, we will be voting for our final candidates, narrowing down the field and picking our favorites to compete in November.

How does it work? - The Democrats vote for their preferred candidates and the Republicans do the same.

BUT FIRST

Are you registered to vote? CLICK HERE to find out.

IF NOT - You will need your driver's license, then CLICK HERE

Pre-registration closes at 5:00 p.m. Monday, May 18, 2026

Choosing a Party - You will have to select either the Democratic or Republican party for the primary. If you are a registered as a member of any other party, but you want to have a say in which candidate appears on the November ballot, you have to register as either a Democrat or a Republican to help select the candidates during the June election. )Don't worry, you can switch back after you have voted!)

ABSENTEE BALLOTS - If you can't make it to the polls, you can request an absentee ballot just CLICK HERE and have your request to the Auditor's office by the end of business on May 18, 2026.

THE PRIMARY ELECTION is heldwhen? June 2, 2026

From May 13 through June 1, you can visit the Auditor's office and vote early. Then you don't have to worry about remembering to vote on June 2...just pop in and the lovely staff in the Auditor's office will be glad to get you a ballot.

BUT WHO ARE WE VOTING FOR IN JUNE? There are several choices on this ballot! First I will list the Benton County races. The Supervisors race is sometimes confusing. EVERY Benton County resident gets to vote on this race. (The candidates all live in District 2 but the voters live across the whole county!)

County Board of Supervisors District 2 (Vote for no more than one)

Republican - Tim Bird, Bethany Hantz, Tracy Seeman

Democratic - ---

County Treasurer (Vote for no more than one)

Republican - Melinda Schoettmer, Joy Wieditz

Democratic - ---

County Recorder (Vote for no more than one)

Republican - Lexa S. Speidel

Democratic - Allison Hicks

County Attorney (Vote for no more than one)

Republican - Ray Lough

Democratic - ---

State Races

United States Senator (Vote for no more than one)

(to replace Joni Ernst)

Republican - Jim Carlin, Ashley Hinson

Democratic - Josh Turek, Zach Wahls

United States Representative District 2 - (Vote for no more than one)

(Currently held by Ashley Hinson)

Republican - Charlie McClintock, Joe Mitchell

Democratic - Kathy Dolter, Lindsay James, Clint Twedt-Ball

Governor (Vote for no more than one)

(to replace Kim Reynolds)

Republican - Eddie Andrews, Randy Feenstra, Zach Lahn, Brad Sherman, Adam Steen

Democratic - Rob Sand

Secretary of State (Vote for no more than one)

(Currently held by Paul Pate)

Republican - Paul Pate

Democratic - Ryan Peterman

Auditor of State (Vote for no more than one)

(to replace Rob Sand)

Republican - Chris Cournoyer, Abigail Maas

Democratic - Taylor Wettach

Treasurer of State (Vote for no more than one)

(Currently held by Roby Smith)

Republican - Roby Smith

Democratic - John Norwood

Secretary of Agriculture (Vote for no more than one

(Currently held by Mike Naig)

Republican - Mike Naig

Democratic - Chris Jones

Attorney General (Vote for no more than one)

(Currently held by Brenna Bird)

Republican - Brenna Bird

Democratic - Nate Willems

Benton County is divided between two State Representative Districts, 76 and 84

State Representative District 76 (Vote for no more than one)

(Currently held by Derek Wulf)

Republican - Derek Wulf

Democratic - Calvin Horn

State Representative District 84 (Vote for no more than one)

(Currently held by Thomas Gerhold)

Republican - Thomas Gerhold

Democratic - Polly Denison