Contest Rules

OFFICIAL RULES FOR 2024 Best of the Lower Columbia

SPONSOR:
The Sponsor of the 2024 Best of the Lower Columbia is Lee Enterprises, Incorporated d/b/a The Daily News (“Sponsor”), with offices located at 770 11th Ave, PO Box 1666, Longview, WA 98632.

RESTRICTIONS, LIMITATIONS, AND ELIGIBILITY:
Nomination and voting are open only to residents of the United States within The Daily News circulation area who are of the age of majority in their state of residence and capable of entering into legally binding contracts. Nominated business contestants must have a physical storefront within The Daily News circulation area to be eligible. Employees of The Daily News, its affiliates, and their immediate family members (spouse, parents, children, siblings, and their spouses) are not eligible. Only the top five businesses with the most nominations will move to the voting round.

One online vote per valid email and IP address per person per day is allowed. An additional vote per person is permitted via text-to-vote (if the nominated business provides a code) or paper ballot. All ballots must include name, address, email, and phone number, with a minimum of ten (10) entries to be counted. All online nominations and voting require valid registration. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

CONTEST NOMINATION AND VOTING:
Participants can nominate business contestants between February 27 – March 14. Participants may only nominate a business for one category during the nomination period. Voting runs from April 9 – April 2024. Visit go.tdn.com/BOTLC24 to nominate businesses and cast votes.

Participants may also vote using paper ballots available at The Daily News business office or mail ballots to:
The Daily News, 770 11th Ave, PO Box 1666, Longview, WA 98632, Attn: 2024 Best of the Lower Columbia.
Entries submitted by mail must be received by March 14 to be eligible.

To enter a drawing without nominating or voting, participants may send a 3″ x 5″ handwritten note with their name, phone, email, and date of birth to:
The Daily News, PO Box 1666, Longview, WA 98632.
Each participant may enter the drawing once per day during the voting period.

REGISTRATION AND QUALIFICATION:
Only one (1) registration per person is allowed, requiring a valid email address. If a business contestant receives multiple or irregular votes, including those generated by automated means, the Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify the entrant. Automated voting and proxy voting are not allowed and will result in disqualification. Any violation of registration rules will lead to disqualification.

SELECTION OF BUSINESS CONTESTANT WINNERS:
Winners are determined by the total number of votes received during the voting period. The top three businesses in each category will be awarded First, Second, and Third place, respectively, and will be published in The Daily News. In the event of a tie, the tied businesses will all receive the award. Prizes are non-transferable and cannot be substituted for cash or other prizes.

MISCELLANEOUS:
By participating in the Contest, participants agree to comply with and be bound by these Official Rules. Decisions of the Sponsor are final. The Sponsor reserves the right to substitute any prize with another of equal or greater value. Winners are responsible for all taxes and may need to complete an IRS form W-9.

The Sponsor may use a participant’s name and likeness for promotional purposes without additional compensation. Participants agree to release the Sponsor from any liability for injuries, losses, or damages arising from participation or prize acceptance. The Sponsor is not responsible for technical failures, misdirected submissions, or errors related to the Contest.

The Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify participants who tamper with the submission process. If the Contest is compromised by technical issues, the Sponsor reserves the right to suspend or terminate it.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY:
The Sponsor is not liable for any damages, and the maximum liability to any participant is $10.00. Participants waive any right to claim punitive, incidental, or consequential damages.

WINNER’S LIST:
Business winners will be published in The Daily News on May 26, 2024.