An unusually high volume of last-minute voters has been turning out at the three Accessible Voting Centers in King County, creating longer lines and waits than usual, according to the King County Elections Office.
Officials are suggesting that voters who still plan to go to an AVC arrive as soon as possible and be prepared to wait in long lines, which have taken up to two hours to get through Tuesday.
AVCs close at 8 p.m. and King County Elections will serve anyone in line by that time.
The voter hotline, 206-296-VOTE (8683) is also experiencing large volumes of calls. If you don’t get through the first time, keep trying.
Voters with questions should also check the elections website for information.
The accessible voting centers are located at King County Elections headquarters in Tukwila (Boeing Field), Seattle Union Station and Bellevue City Hall. More information on accessible voting centers is available on the Elections website.
Ballots must be postmarked by today or returned to a ballot drop box by 8 p.m.
Ballots were being returned at a steady rate to King County Elections where Election Day results are expected to set a mail-ballot record.
With more than 400,000 ballots already returned as of Monday, Elections staff have been busy processing ballots and officials expect to report on about 350,000 votes cast in the first set of election results Tuesday evening.
“Voters have only a little more time to get their ballots returned,” said Elections Director Sherril Huff. “If you haven’t already mailed your ballot, get it in the mail as early as possible as it must be postmarked no later than Nov. 2. If you’re returning your ballot to one of our drop boxes, please don’t wait until the last minute.”
Ballot drop boxes, by law, are sealed shut promptly at 8 p.m. on Election Day.
King County is estimating a total election return of about 720,000 ballots, or 68 percent of registered voters. This would set a record for mail voting in King County. The previous record was set in the 2008 presidential election with nearly 650,000 mail ballots returned.
“I’d also like to remind voters to follow up promptly if you’re contacted by the Department of Elections,” said Huff. “Even if Election Day has passed, we may be trying to reach you in order to process your ballot.”
Ballots returned on time can still be counted if signature problems are resolved prior to when the Election is certified on Nov. 23.
Election results will be reported online starting at 8:15 p.m. Tuesday and will be updated on subsequent days at 4:30 p.m.
Voters can track their ballot and confirm that it was received by Elections.
