During Tuesday’s vote by mail general election, voters in Whitman County participated in several contested races for small taxing district positions.

In the race for commissioner of Whitman Hospital & Medical Clinics in Colfax, Kathy Wride is currently in the lead with 57% of the votes. Vanessa Moore is ahead in the Palouse School Board race with 54%. Frank Lazcano Sr. and Heather Smith have secured seats on the Rosalia School Board, while Roger Beck has won the contested St. John School Board race.

In LaCrosse, the town council race is close, with Shawn Mills having a one vote lead over Desiree Chappell. The Malden Mayoral race is also competitive; Diana Totten leads Larry Frick by just three votes. The Malden Town Council race was won by Danielle Roth. John Michael Goyke has been elected as Mayor of Rosalia, and John Berggren has won a seat on Rosalia Town Council. Additionally, Shelly Ausmus will join the Tekoa City Council, and David Tysz holds a narrow 12 vote lead over Brad Chandler for another Tekoa City Council seat, while Reid Smith has also won a Tekoa council position. The contested Rosalia Parks and Recreation District board race was won by Sherry Hames.

It is anticipated that thousands of ballots remain to be counted across Whitman County, with the auditor’s office planning to process another batch of ballots on Friday night.