Voter turnout exceeded our projections during the August 2018 Primary Election, which marked the first time voters did not need a stamp to mail in their ballots. King County Elections projected a 40 percent turnout rate, based on historical data and slightly adjusted to account for potential voter behavior changes due to prepaid postage. Actual turnout was 43.4 percent, the highest rate of voter participation since the 2004 primary election!
We are excited to share that we have opened 5 new drop boxes in these last few months in time for the August 7 Primary Election!
Communities excited to receive a drop box in their location include:
We now have 61 ballot drop boxes available for King County residents, with over 94% of residents living within 3 miles of a drop box.
Please return your Primary Election ballot at a drop box by 8 p.m. August 7 or by mail – no stamp needed. Below is one of our most recent drop boxes, this one is at Seattle Pacific University.
Monday was a big day for us. We are thrilled to announce that prepaid postage within King County was officially approved by the King County Council.
It will impact the upcoming primary and general elections, starting with our August primary election, and is one more way we are removing barriers for our voters!
“Prepaid postage along with our ballot drop boxes makes it easy for everyone to exercise their civic right to vote,” says Elections Director Julie Wise.
We look forward to how prepaid postage will encourage higher ballot return rates and allow all communities to become further engaged in the elections process.
Thank you to the community, King County Executive Dow Constantine, and the King County Council for your support!
For more information, read our official press release here.
Election Connection 