Primary Voter Turnout Nears 10% In King County

Seattle WA

27 July, 2021

9:11 PM

Description

KING COUNTY, WA — This year's primary election has entered the home stretch in King County, with less than a week until polls close on Aug. 3. As usual, voters are taking their time getting their ballots returned, with just 9.6 percent received by Tuesday evening. Last week, King County Elections told Patch the leisurely pace was right in line with expectations for an odd-year primary, and officials still expect 40 percent of the county's 1.4 million voters will return their ballots when all is said and done. A few communities are ahead of the curve early on, like Issaquah (11.49%), Clyde Hill (12.62%) and Mercer Island (12.37%), while others are lagging a bit, including Seattle (9.12%), Renton (7.27%) and SeaTac (7.43%). There is still plenty of time to complete ballots before Election Day and return them by mail, or to one of the dozens of drop boxes open 24/7 across King County. While the window closed Monday for online and mail voter registration, in-person registration is still possible right up to the last minute when polls close at 8 p.m. next Tuesday. King County Elections predicts more than half of the ballots that are returned will come in on the last two days of voting, which means tallies may see some big fluctuations after the first drop on election night. In order to be counted, mailed ballots must be postmarked by Aug. 3, and officials recommend they are sent no later than Friday to ensure that happens. Drop boxes close promptly at 8 p.m. on election night. Additional vote centers will be open on Saturday, Monday and Tuesday to help last-minute voters with everything from registration to replacement ballots. Here are a few helpful links to make sure your voice is heard: Find your nearest dropbox out of the dozens across the county using an up-to-date map.Learn more about the candidates and ballot measures in your town, including those that will appear only on November ballots.Locate a vote center to register, drop off a ballot, or get a replacement. Monitor your ballot's status using King County's ballot tracker tool.The day after the primary election is over, King County will also open a special filing window for those interested in running for offices that drew no candidates earlier in the year: Skykomish School District No. 404, Director Position No. 4Tukwila School District No. 406, Director District No. 1King County Fire Protection District No. 24, Commissioner Position No. 1King County Fire Protection District No. 24, Commissioner Position No. 2King County Fire Protection District No. 24, Commissioner Position No. 3King County Fire Protection District No. 31, Commissioner Position No. 2King County Fire Protection District No. 31, Commissioner Position No. 3King County Water District No. 1, Commissioner Position No. 3Vashon Sewer District, Commissioner Position No. 3The filing window opens at 8:30 a.m. on Aug. 4 and closes at 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 6. Candidates may file online or in-person and will appear on general election ballots on Nov. 2.