Washington primary spotlight on 3rd Congressional District

A congressional primary race that could affect the balance of power in the United States takes center stage locally and nationally on Tuesday.

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- A congressional primary race that could affect the balance of power in the United States takes center stage locally and nationally on Tuesday.

Voters in Washington's 3rd Congressional District -- which includes Clark County -- will cast their ballots for incumbent freshman Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez or her two Republican opponents, Joe Kent and Leslie Lewallen.

Perez defeated Kent, the former special forces veteran and Trump supporter, to earn her congressional seat in the 2022 election. The primary race is a top-two race, meaning the top two vote getters regardless of party will face off in November's general election.

Perez said she wants a second term in Congress to advocate for the "working class."

Kent has the support of major Republican players, while Lewallen is a Camas city councilor.

While the 3rd District race has the spotlight, Washington voters will also weigh in on races for governor (to replace the retiring Jay Inslee), secretary of state, attorney general, state treasurer, state auditor, commissioner of public lands and the superintendent of public instruction.

State legislative positions and two county council positions are also up for grabs in Clark County.

Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey told KOIN 6 News the turnout is not quite what it was two years ago.

"Well, we've got a pretty good chunk of ballots in (Monday) morning," he told KOIN 6 News. "We've got about 22,000 ballots from the ballot drop boxes and the post office. But in general, turnout's been lagging behind what we've seen in past years, so we're hoping that tonight and tomorrow (Monday night and Tuesday), people will get out there and vote their ballot."

Ballots need to be postmarked by Tuesday for it to count. At this point, it's probably better to take your ballot to one of Clark County's 22 official dropboxes by 8 p.m. Tuesday. Voters can also cast their ballot in person at Clark County Elections.

Preliminary results -- with an estimated 75% of ballots counted -- should be available by 8:15 p.m. Tuesday. All ballots should be in and counted by Friday.

Stay with KOIN 6 News, Your Local Election Headquarters.