Washington ballots must be postmarked for election

The Associated Press

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Ballots for the election in Washington must be postmarked by Election Day or placed in a drop box by 8 p.m.

With some ballots still in the mail on election night, results in a close race may not be known for days.

The secretary of state’s office said 29 percent of the ballots had been returned as of Monday afternoon. That’s about 1.1 million ballots of the 3.9 ballots that were mailed.

Counties will certify results by Nov. 24. And Secretary of State Kim Wyman and Gov. Jay Inslee will certify the election on Dec. 2.

Ballots and local voters’ pamphlets scheduled to be mailed for November 5 General Election.

Source: Snohomish County Auditor’s office
EVERETT – Snohomish County Elections will mail ballots tomorrow to over 412,000 voters for the November 5 General Election.  The Snohomish County local voters’ pamphlets will be mailed today one per household. Voters will also receive a pamphlet from the Secretary of State covering statewide ballot measures and advisory votes.
 
This year’s general election features two statewide initiatives, five advisory votes, three county council positions as well as a number of city, school district, fire district, sewer district and other local district positions.  Ballot measures in the City of Lynnwood, the Stanwood-Camano School District and Public Hospital District 1 are also up for voter consideration.
 
Voters are encouraged to be an informed voter by learning about the races and issues on their ballot, reading and following the ballot instructions, using the write-in line for serious office seekers only, signing their ballot envelope and returning their ballot as soon as practical.  These steps will ensure that their ballot can be counted without issue or delay.
 
First time voters wanting to vote in this election may register in person at the Snohomish County Auditor’s Office through Monday, October 28.  In order to register to vote in the state of Washington, a person must:
·        be a citizen of the United States;
·        have lived in Washington State for at least 30 days;
·        be at least 18 years old by Election Day;
·        not disqualified due to a court order; and
·        not currently under Department of Corrections supervision for a felony conviction.
 
Snohomish County conducts all of its elections entirely by mail.  All eligible voters will be mailed a ballot to their current residential or mailing address beginning October 17.
 
Voters choosing to return their voted ballot through the mail must ensure that it is postmarked no later than November 5. Voters may return their voted ballot postage free to any one of eleven 24-hour ballot drop box locations in Snohomish County.  Ballots can be deposited at these locations any time until 8:00 pm on Election Day, though voters are encouraged to return their ballot as soon as practical to avoid wait times at drop boxes on Election Day.
 
The eleven 24-hour ballot drop boxes locations are:
 
 
Arlington (near library)
135 N Washington Ave, Arlington
 
Edmonds (near library)
650 Main St, Edmonds
 
Everett (Courthouse Campus)
Rockefeller Ave and Wall St, Everett
 
Everett (at McCollum Park)
600 128th St SE, Everett
 
Lake Stevens (near the city boat launch)
1800 Main St, Lake Stevens
 
Lynnwood (in front of City Hall)
19100 44th Ave, Lynnwood
 
Marysville (behind Municipal Court) 
1015 State Ave, Marysville
 
Monroe (near Library)
1070 Village Way, Monroe
 
Mukilteo (near library)
4675 Harbour Pointe Blvd, Mukilteo
 
Snohomish (near library)
311 Maple Ave, Snohomish
 
Stanwood (near library)
9701 271st St NW, Stanwood
 
More information is listed on the insert delivered with each ballot and can also be found online at www.snoco.org/elections
 
Snohomish County Elections will have accessible voting equipment designed for voters with disabilities available in the Auditor’s Office beginning October 16 through November 5 and at the Lynnwood Sno-Isle Library on Monday, November 4 from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Election Day, Tuesday, November 5 from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The Lynnwood Sno-Isle Library is located at 19200 44th Ave, Lynnwood.
 
The Snohomish County Auditor’s Office is located on the first floor of the Snohomish County Administration Building, 3000 Rockefeller Avenue, Everett. Voters may drop their voted ballots at the Auditor’s Office Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  The office will have extended hours on Election Day, Tuesday, November 5 from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.
 
Snohomish County Elections may be reached at 425-388-3444.