The race for votes in the Nov. 5 general election is underway.

King County Elections (KCE) sent approximately 1.4 million ballots registered voters’ way on Oct. 16 and they should receive the documents in the mail by Oct. 21.

Locally, races involve candidates in Congressional District 9 and Legislative District 41, both of which cover Mercer Island. Residents can drop off their ballots from now until 8 p.m. on election night at the 24-hour box at the Mercer Island Community & Event Center (8236 SE 24th St.).

“All voters are encouraged to track their ballot to make sure their voice (is) heard. Voters can also sign up for ballot alerts to receive text and email notifications about their ballot status from when it’s mailed to when it’s verified and counted by King County Elections. Simply opt in online through KCE’s ballot tracker,” KCE noted in a press release. For more information, visit: https://cd.kingcounty.gov/en/dept/elections.

Final results will be certified on Nov. 26.

Here’s a preview of the 9th and 41st district races:

9TH DISTRICT

* Smith vs. Chaudhry

Current 9th District U.S. Rep. Adam Smith (D) will face off with Melissa Chaudhry (D) in the general election.

Smith, who has served as a U.S. representative since 1997 and was a Washington state senator for five years prior, is a member of the University of Washington Evans School Honorary Advisory Board, Council on Foreign Relations and Borgen Project Board of Directors.

“As our nation faces unprecedented challenges, I am focused on strengthening the middle class, ensuring equality of opportunity for all, and investing in our future. We must provide a progressive path forward where everyone can thrive,” Smith told the Reporter. “I work hard to make sure every person in our district has access to the best this country has to offer; not only because it’s the right thing to do, but because this is also my home — it’s personal to me.”

Chaudhry has extensive professional experience in human services and nonprofits, focusing on affordable housing, addiction recovery and immigrant support. The union member has strengthened her multicultural understanding and expertise by engaging in frontline global work in Ghana, Pakistan, Central America, Canada and Indonesia, according to her KCE candidate page.

“I believe in a future where peace, justice, and equality are realities for everyone,” she told the Reporter. “I’ve brought $3.2 million for local affordable housing. I have also worked internationally in sustainable development and climate justice — and curating geostrategic insights for the U.S. State Department — gaining valuable insights into the global challenges we face.”

41ST DISTRICT

* Senn vs. Tadlock

Current State Rep. Pos. 1 Tana Senn (D) is running against Emily Tadlock (R).

Senn, a former Mercer Island City Councilmember, has amassed 20 years of experience as a communications and government relations professional for nonprofits and foundations. She is a board member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue, co-president of the National Association of Jewish Legislators and more.

“Access to affordable, high-quality childcare will remain my top priority. Families too often can’t find or afford high-quality childcare, which harms the workforce needed for a robust economy. Further, our behavioral health system needs continued investment and fine tuning, focusing on children’s mental health to help reduce the long-term need for substance abuse treatment and crisis services,” Senn told the Reporter.

Tadlock enters the political realm with 40-plus years experience as a litigation paralegal, product litigation technician and mortgage compliance officer, as well as an executive assistant and office manager in the legal, manufacturing, construction, medical consulting and mortgage industry fields.

The current small business owner, who grew up and lives in the area and said she has a pulse on 41st citizens’ needs, told the Reporter: “I will prioritize public safety and solutions for reducing crime, promote policies that create economic opportunity and incentivize business growth and encourage affordable homeownership. I will fight for school excellence, not just for families who can afford private school, but for everyone.”

* Thai vs. Rosenthal

Current State Rep. Pos. 2 My-Linh Thai (D) will once again take on Al Rosenthal (R).

Thai, a deputy majority leader, civil rights and judiciary committee member and health and wellness committee member, has been involved with refugee advocacy, public health, pediatric neurology and more over the years.

“In my experience as a former director and president of the Bellevue School Board, I know that safe, supportive communities must be built on a strong foundation. That foundation includes high-quality education, affordable childcare options, equitable access to health services, and affordable housing in safe neighborhoods,” Thai told the Reporter.

Former city of Redmond Homeless Task Force member Rosenthal said on his KCE candidate page that as a longtime King County commercial property owner/manager, he has witnessed firsthand how the mishandling of homelessness by government agencies has resulted in failure.

“I believe that homelessness and drug addiction should be addressed with a balanced approach of compassion, accountability, and required treatment. I’m running for office to reinstall public safety and make academic excellence a priority,” Rosenthal told the Reporter.

* Wellman vs. Sarao

Current 41st State Sen. Lisa Wellman (D) will face off with Jaskaran Singh Sarao (R).

Wellman’s immense elected experience includes serving as chair of the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education and as a member of the Ways & Means and Energy and Environment & Technology committees. She’s also a mentor at the University of Washington Forster School of Business and co-founder of Partners for Rural Washington.

“As a former teacher and now chair of the Senate Education Committee, I know high-quality education is the most powerful investment we can make in our future. Our children deserve the best possible education, and workers deserve access to professional training to adapt to new technologies,” Wellman told the Reporter. “In this critical moment, I am proudly pro-choice. I’ve fought to make Washington a sanctuary for all reproductive care and now seek to enshrine those rights in our state constitution, to protect against federal undermining.”

Sarao has amassed 20 years working as a senior project manager for local companies, including AT&T and T-Mobile, and he also chairs the Bellevue Human Services Commission and serves the homeless through the Sikh Center of Seattle.

“Under Wellman’s leadership, Washington now has the highest retail theft rate, is the second most dangerous state, and has the third-highest gas prices. Despite doubling spending in education, student performance has consistently declined, with only 51% of students reading at grade level and 39% proficient in math,” reads his statement to the Reporter, in part. “Jaskaran is running as a Republican to bring change, rather than continuing the failed Democratic policies supported by Wellman. He is a pro-choice centrist, guided by Sikh values of equality and service. A vote for him is a vote for change.”