The Nov. 8 general election gets under way this week with the arrival of nearly 1.1 million ballots in the mail of King County voters.

‘The the U.S. Postal Service will deliver the mail-in ballots on Wednesday. Voters pamphlets are also in the mail.

More than 12,000 ballots were already sent to voters living overseas or out of state and those serving in the military to allow extra transit time for delivery.

“King County voters can avoid the Election Day rush and stress by voting and returning ballots early,” said Sherril Huff, director of the King County Elections Division. “It also saves time and processing costs when voters remember to use a black ink pen to vote and sign the back of the return envelope.”

King County voters will begin receiving their two voters’ pamphlets this week — one from King County Elections, with city and county voting information, and one from the Secretary of State, with state information. Voters’ pamphlets are also available online, at King County libraries or at the elections office, 919 S.W. Grady Way, Renton.

Voters can return their ballots right away by mail, which requires a first-class stamp. There are 11 ballot drop boxes open for returning a ballot in person.

Ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 8 or returned to a ballot drop box by 8 p.m. on that day. Ballots can also be returned to accessible voting centers during their business hours.

Voters can confirm that their ballot was mailed and watch its progress online using the ballot tracker on the King County Elections website.

To ensure that voters with disabilities are able to cast a private and independent ballot, the county offers accessible voting centers. The accessible voting center at King County Elections opens on Friday, Oct. 21; other locations will open Nov. 7.

TIPS FOR VOTING

• Read the entire ballot top to bottom, and front to back before voting

• Read the voters’ pamphlet

• Use a black ink pen to fill out the ballot

• Tear the stub off of the top of the ballot

• Sign the voter declaration on the back of the envelope using your official signature

• Return your ballot early so that it is part of the Election Night results report and there is enough time to correct any issues that may be associated with your signature

King County residents not currently registered to vote in Washington can register in person at the King County Elections office or the Voter Registration Annex through 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 31.

For more information, visit the Elections website, or call 206-296-VOTE (8683).