County’s first all-mail election underway, record-setting number of ballots in the mail today

The two-year effort of transitioning King County entirely to vote by mail will be put to the test on Feb. 3.  With over 1.1 million ballots sent to voters today, the county has set a new record for the number of ballots mailed in a single election.  This number surpasses all previous records set by Los Angeles County, formerly the nation’s largest contingent of mail voters.  Ballots for more than 19,000 military, overseas and out-of-state voters were sent on Jan. 2.

“Elections staff have been working tirelessly toward this transition and we are ready to demonstrate countywide voting by mail,” said Elections Director Sherril Huff.  “With easy-to-follow ballot instructions, secure ballot drop boxes, online ballot tracking, and accessible voting centers in place, voting by mail is both convenient and secure for all voters.”

Ballots were sent today to all active, registered voters in the county.  While around 70 percent of mail ballots cast in any given election are by mail, voting by mail will be new for some voters. 

All voters should follow these guidelines when voting their mail ballot:

• Carefully follow all instructions for voting your ballot and never sign your ballot.  View an educational video at http://www.kingcounty.gov/elections/voting/absentee/howtoabsentee.aspx.

• As required by law, the signature on every absentee envelope is verified against the voter's registration record. If your signature has changed over the years, please update your records with King County Elections because your signature makes your vote count.

• Respond immediately if you are contacted by King County Elections. You may have forgotten to sign the return envelope or your signature may not match your voter registration record. Elections officials go to great lengths to contact voters, but rely on a timely response.

• To be counted, mail ballots must be postmarked by Feb. 3, Election Day. Ballots without postage can be returned to a 24-hour ballot drop box until 8 p.m. on Election Day.  View ballot drop box locations at http://www.kingcounty.gov/elections/voting/ballotdropboxes.aspx.

New this election, King County is launching a mail ballot tracking Web site allowing voters to track their mail ballots at three points throughout the process.  Visit www.kingcounty.gov/elections to track your ballot online.

Accessible voting options

In-person accessible voting is available for all voters starting today through Feb. 3 at King County Elections' Renton office, weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Additional accessible voting centers will be opened in Seattle and Bellevue beginning Jan. 30 through Election Day.

Equipment at the accessible voting centers provides an audio and touch-screen ballot in English and Chinese. With large font, high contrast and a key pad device, voting is made easy for voters with disabilities. All voters are welcome to vote using an accessible voting unit.

King County Elections is located at 919 SW Grady Way in Renton and is accessible on Metro bus route 140. 

Voters who do not receive their ballot by Jan. 21 should call 206-296-VOTE (8683).  For more information on the Feb. 3 election, visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/elections/.