County mails election ballots today

Watch your mailbox. County mailing ballots for Aug. 6 primary election this week.

July 16, 2013 3:38 pm
A ballot dropbox will be available at Crossroads Shopping Center through Aug. 6.
A ballot dropbox will be available at Crossroads Shopping Center through Aug. 6.

King County is mailing out 1.2 million ballots this week for the Aug. 6 primary election. Voters’ pamphlets are mailed separately by bulk mail and may arrive on a different day than ballots.

“Voters should watch for their ballot in the mail and contact us if they haven’t received it by Wednesday, July 24,” said Sherril Huff, Elections Director.

The county already sent more than 17,400 ballots to voters living overseas and those serving in the military to allow extra time for delivery.

As in past elections, the county will have ballot drop location at Crossroads Shopping Center, 15600 NE Eighth St. The box will be at the shopping center’s south entrance, near Dress Barn. The drop box will be available 24 hours a day from July 18 to Aug. 6. The box will close at 8 p.m. election day, Aug. 6.

People are encouraged to vote, sign the return envelope and get their ballot back as soon as they receive it. Ballots can be mailed with a first class stamp or returned to a drop-off location. Ballots must be postmarked by Aug. 6 or returned to a ballot drop box by 8 p.m. on election day. Ballots can also be returned to accessible voting centers  during their business hours.

Voters’ pamphlets are available online, at Seattle and King County libraries and at the Elections office, 919 SW Grady Way, Renton.

Tips for voting:

  • Read the entire ballot top to bottom, and front to back before voting
  • Read the voters’ pamphlet
  • Use a black ink pen to fill out the ballot
  • Tear the stub off of the top of the ballot
  • Sign the voter declaration on the back of the envelope using your standard signature
  • Return your ballot early so that it is part of the Election Night results report and there is enough time to correct any issues that may be associated with your signature

The in person registration deadline to vote is July 29.

King County residents not currently registered to vote in Washington can register in person at the King County Elections office or the Voter Registration Annex through 4:30 p.m. on Monday, July 29.

More information is available on the Elections website or call 206-296-VOTE (8683).