EVERETT — Snohomish County voters are “strongly” encouraged to use the county-operated election drop box instead of the mailbox or post-office when they submit their ballot for the Nov. 3 general election to ensure their vote is received in time and in a valid manner.
Auditor, Garth Fell announced, “With only one week left until Election Day, we strongly encourage voters to return their ballot using an official county-operated ballot drop box rather than mailing it. Using an official ballot drop box is the best way to make sure your ballot is received on time.”
Fell says voters should be especially mindful of timing when deciding how to return their ballots. That’s why he’s advocating voters now use the county’s 38 official ballot drop boxes during the final week before Election Day.
He says recent changes to U.S. Postal Service mail processing procedures may affect how quickly mailed ballots are postmarked and delivered. Ballots must have a postmark dated November 3 or earlier. Using an official ballot drop box, Fell underscores, remains the most direct and reliable way to return a ballot and avoid any potential postal delays.
Ballot drop boxes are available 24 hours a day until 8 p.m. on Election Day. A complete list of official ballot drop box locations is available online at snoco.gov/elections and in the voters’ pamphlet.
Voters who are unable to access an official ballot drop box are encouraged to visit a local post office to request a free, hand-stamped postmark from a postal clerk when mailing their ballot. This additional step ensures your ballot receives a postmark dated by the November 3 deadline, the Auditor says. Voters are encouraged to check their local post office hours of operation in advance to plan their visit.
In-person voter registration and other voter services will be available at the Auditor’s Office in Everett and at accessible voter services locations in Lynnwood, Monroe, and Arlington this Saturday, October 31, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For voters with disabilities, Snohomish County Elections will have accessible voting equipment available at all in-person locations.
In-person voter services will also be available on Monday, November 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Tuesday, Election Day, November 3, from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Hours of operation and addresses of in-person voter services locations are listed in the local voters’ pamphlet and on the county’s website linked above.
Voters are encouraged to visit VoteWA.gov to track their ballot’s status and confirm that it has been received, verified, and accepted, and to check for any issues with their signature that may require their attention. Voters can also sign up for ballot text alerts to be notified when their ballot completes each step of the process. If an issue with their ballot signature arises, voters who have signed up for text alerts will receive a text explaining the issue and how to resolve it.
You can also connect with the Auditor’s Office on Facebook, Instagram, and X. If you have additional questions, please email Snohomish County Elections at [email protected].
Through the work of 46 public employees, the nonpartisan Auditor’s Office registers voters and conducts elections; issues pet and kennel licenses; responds to animal-related safety incidents; licenses cars, boats, and other vehicles; records property and other legal documents; issues marriage licenses; and performs many other customer-focused vital government services. Garth Fell was elected as the nonpartisan Auditor for Washington’s third-largest county in 2019 and reelected in 2023. He is a nationally certified elections administrator who has overseen more than 100 elections during his 27-year career, including seven presidential elections. Auditor Fell also serves as president of the Washington State Association of County Auditors and as a member of the Washington State Recording Standards Commission.