MLIRD election Tuesday

MOSES LAKE - Moses Lake Irrigation and Rehabilitation District patrons will cast ballots Tuesday for three seats on the board of directors.

The only polling place will be open from 1 to 8 p.m.; it's located at 211 North Elder St., the former John L. Scott Real Estate office in Moses Lake.

Two of the three are new positions, created in December 2012 when district patrons voted to expand the board from three to five seats. Mary Perry, Bill Bailey, Larry Tracy and Jeff Foster will compete for those positions.

The candidate that receives the most votes among the four will be named to a three-year term on the board, according to information from the MLIRD. The candidate that comes in second will be elected to a two year term, MLIRD officials said. Both terms begin in January.

Incumbent Ron Covey is being challenged by David Skaug for the third seat. The winner will be elected to a three-year term.

Votes are allocated according to land ownership, according to MLIRD officials. Each parcel within the district comes with two votes, and the votes go with the landowner. Individual landowners get both votes. When land is jointly owned by a husband and wife, the first one at the polls can cast both votes, or leave one for the second party, officials said.

In the case of land jointly owned by two or more people, the first landowner to show up at the poll can cast both votes or reserve one for a second property owner, MLIRD officials said, just like married couples.

The votes for land owned by a company or legal entity go to an agent of that entity, officials said. Any company or legal entity with voting rights must file a voting authorization form before the election.