The Nov. 2 general election gets under way this week.
Elections officials in the county and statewide are predicting a large turnout in what are known as mid-term elections nationally.
Voters will receive their ballots and voters pamphlets in the mail starting Thursday or Friday. They must be postmarked no later than 8 p.m. Election Day, Nov. 2.
Voters will receive to voters pamphlets, a local one from King County and as statewide one from the Secretary of State.
The ballot is long, filled with legislative and judicial races, a U.S. Senate race and six statewide initiatives, the most in almost 100 years. There are three King County Charter amendments on the ballot and county Proposition 1, which would impose a sales tax to pay for criminal-justice agencies and services.
Locally, Fairwood residents will decide whether to annex to the City of Renton. There are no Renton city or Renton School District school board positions or measures on the ballot.
“This election has a record number of ballot measures along with the candidate races, so there’s a lot to consider on both sides of your ballot” said Sherril Huff, King County Elections director. “Don’t forget to sign the voter oath on the back of the return envelope to make sure that your ballot is processed.”
King County Elections is forecasting a 68 percent turnout in King County, with 69 percent turnout in Seattle and 67 percent in the rest of the county.
The main online and mail-in voter registration deadline has passed, but first-time Washington voters may apply in person at county election offices until Oct. 25. King County’s election office is at 9010 East Marginal Way S. Tukwila, at Boeing Field.
Statewide, Secretary of State Sam Reed is predicting the best midterm vote turnout in 40 years – 66 percent.
In a press release, Reed pointed to hotly contested races and ballots measures, heavy television spending and fired-up grassroots activists as the reasons for his projection. He said participation should exceed the 64.6 percent of 2006, the most recent midterm election, when turnout is always lower than the main presidential year election. The turnout was a record 85 percent in 2008.
“This is really going to be a dramatic election,” Reed said in an interview. There’s a political buzz this year, he said, and people “are engaged.”
The state has about 3.6 million registered voters; about a third of those are in King County.
Election details
• The November general election ballots and voters pamphlets were mailed to voters this week. To be counted, the ballots must be postmarked no later than 8 p.m. Election Day, Nov. 2.
• The voters pamphlet is also available online, at King County libraries and at the Elections Division office, 9010 East Marginal Way S. Tukwila, at Boeing Field.
• Voters can track a ballot online.
• The county offers accessible voting centers where voters with disabilities can cast a private ballot. The accessible voting at the elections office in Tukwila opens Wednesday (Oct. 13). Other centers open on Oct. 29.
• For more information, visit the Elections Division Web site or call 206-296-VOTE (8683).
• Information on statewide races and voters pamphlet is available at the Secretary of State’s Web site.
