So, it’s come to this – we have to pay for the right to vote.

Because times are financially tight for King County, it has cut back dramatically the number of drop-off places where voters can cast their ballots in the Feb. 9 election.

By dramatically we mean only four remain.

As a result, most voters will be forced to buy a stamp in order to cast their ballot.

According to county Elections Director Sherril Huff, “King County had to make some hard choices to balance the 2010 operating budget. As a cost savings measure, Elections was asked to reduce the number of ballot drop boxes as well as the operational hours of accessible voting centers.”

Did they ever.

From now to Election Day, you can drop off a ballot at the King County Elections office, 9010 East Marginal Way S. in Tukwila and at the King County Administration Building, 500 4th Ave. in downtown Seattle. My, that’s convenient.

And there remain three places where people with disabilities can cast a private and independent ballot.

Only one is in Bellevue, at Bellevue City Hall, and then only on Monday, Feb. 8 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Tuesday, Feb. 9 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Those with disabilities also can vote at the aforementioned King County Elections office in Tukwila weekdays, Jan. 20 to Feb. 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and finally on Tuesday, Feb. 9 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. or at Union Station, 401 S Jackson St., Seattle on Monday, Feb. 8 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Tuesday, Feb. 9 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Sure, the price of a stamp is less than the cost to drive to Seattle – or even downtown Bellevue – but that isn’t the point. Apparently when voting, we no longer remain the land of the free.

– Craig Groshart, for The Bellevue Reporter