King County Ballots in the Mail Oct. 19

Nearly 1.1 million ballots will be mailed to voters via the U.S. Postal Service tomorrow and will be arriving soon in mailboxes on Mercer Island and throughout King County, according to a King County press release.

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, Elections Director. “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. If you don’t receive a voters’ pamphlet in the mail, you can access it online or pick up one at Seattle and King County libraries, or at the Elections office in Renton.

You can vote and return your ballot as soon as you receive it. There are 11 ballot drop boxes open for returning your ballot in person, or you can mail it through the Postal Service, which requires a first class stamp. Ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 8 or returned to a ballot drop box by 8:00 p.m. on that day. Ballots can also be returned to accessible voting centers during their business hours.

According to the press release, the 2011 General Election ballot is very full, so make sure to read the entire ballot from top to bottom, and front to back before filling it out. 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 Oct. 21; other locations will open Nov. 7. More information on accessible voting centers is available online.

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

In person registration deadline Oct. 31 

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). Questions about statewide races and voters’ pamphlet? Contact the Secretary of State.