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On Thursday, Snohomish County Elections will mail ballots for the August 4 Primary to 475,000 registered voters. Ballots were mailed to military and overseas voters on June 19 and to out-of-state and rural voters on July 10. A voters’ pamphlet will also be mailed this week to every household. Every registered voter should receive their ballot no later than Wednesday, July 22.
During this COVID pandemic, voters are encouraged to register, make changes to an existing registration or return their completed ballots as soon as practical. The county campus remains closed to in-person customer service, making it important that voters take action early to minimize the delays in their ability to participate.
The August Primary narrows the field of candidates in the November General Election. The Primary features important races for federal and state offices Presidential candidates will not appear on the Primary election ballot, but will be on the General Election ballot in November.
“The role government and elected officials play in the everyday lives of our citizens and residents is more apparent than ever. This year those who vote will decide who will lead important federal and state offices. And the Primary is an important step in ensuring your voice is included in the decision,” said County Auditor Garth Fell.
There are several options available for returning your ballot – through a ballot drop box, an accessible voting site, or by mail. Postage is not required regardless of how the ballot is returned. Ballots returned through the mail must be postmarked no later than Election Day, August 4.
For the Primary, 29 ballot drop box locations are open to receive voted ballots 24-hours a day until 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, August 4. A complete list of ballot drop box locations is included with each voter’s ballot packet, in the local voters’ pamphlet and on the county elections website, www.snoco.org/elections. Several new ballot drop boxes have been installed to make ballot return more convenient for residents, including at Glacier Peak High school and in Index, Lakewood, Silvana, and Startup.
Snohomish County Auditor’s Office and the county campus are currently closed to in-person customer service. The office will be open starting no later than Monday, July 27 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Voters who need in-person service will be required to maintain social distance and wear face coverings in compliance with the Governor’s statewide order. Voters are encouraged to utilize online resources first before coming into the office. Resources like voter registration and the ability to download a replacement ballot are available at www.votewa.gov and www.snoco.org/elections.
Snohomish County Elections will have accessible voting equipment for voters with disabilities available starting Saturday, August 1 at the Snohomish County campus (3000 Rockefeller Ave), in south county at the Alderwood Water and Wastewater District (3626 156th St. SW) and in north county at the Smokey Point Wyndham Garden Hotel (16710 Smokey Pt Blvd). Accessible voting sites will be open the following hours:
Saturday, August 1 – 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Monday, August 3 – 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Election Day, August 4 – 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Voters may also register and vote at these location during the dates and times listed. Please remember that face coverings and social distancing will be required at all accessible voting sites.
If you are registered to vote and have not received a ballot by July 22, call 425-388-3444. For more information, visit www.snoco.org/elections. You may also contact Snohomish County Elections at elections@snoco.org.
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