Although one issue has dominated the election conversation on Mercer Island — in the community and especially on social media — over the past few weeks, candidates have been campaigning since May, debating a number of topics including growth, budgeting, transportation and transparency.
Completed ballots must be postmarked with a first-class stamp, or dropped into a dropbox by no later than 8 p.m. Tuesday. There is a dropbox on Mercer Island, at the Community and Event Center.
The controversies involving Islanders running for office — Joy Langley for City Council Position 4 and John Urquhart for King County Sheriff — are unlikely to be resolved before the election.
As of Tuesday, Langley is working with attorneys to track down her educational records, while Cornell is standing by its statement that she did not attend or graduate from the university. Urquhart continues to deny that he assaulted a woman who recently requested a permanent protection order against him. The hearing, set for Nov. 7, was delayed until Dec. 5, according to local news sources.
Election results will start rolling in at about 8:15 p.m. Here’s some of the Reporter’s election coverage over the past eight months:
November
The Reporter continued to update its story about Langley, giving last-minute voters the most up-to-date information possible.
October
The Reporter covered election-related issues as they arose, including the rape allegation against the incumbent sheriff, a debate between school board and City Council candidates at the Beach Club, a dropout in one of the school board races and the controversy regarding Langley’s Cornell degree.
- Group questions Mercer Island City Council candidate’s education credentials
- School Board, City Council candidates debate at Mercer Island Beach Club
- Mercer Island School Board seat on ballot remains contested, despite candidate drop out
- Making sense of the rape allegation against King County’s top cop
September
The Reporter covered a Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce meeting featuring most of the candidates for Mercer Island City Council, and a Rotary meeting featuring the candidates for King County Sheriff.
- Mercer Island City Council candidates debate transportation, finances at Chamber forum
- Sheriff candidates debate discipline, management at Mercer Island Rotary
July/August
The Reporter conducted interviews and published candidate profiles prior to the Aug. 1 primary election, and covered the results.
- Meet the candidates for Mercer Island City Council Position 6
- Meet the candidates for Mercer Island School Board Position 4
- Wong, Lurie ahead in Mercer Island primary races
April/May
The Reporter ran stories on candidates who announced they would run for office prior to the May 19 filing deadline.
