SNOHOMISH COUNTY, JULY 16: Snohomish County Elections will mail ballots for the August 5 Primary this week to approximately 470,000 registered voters.
Voters can expect to receive their ballots starting at the end of the week, with delivery continuing through the weekend and into early next week.
With more than 180 local offices to be decided this year, the August Primary helps narrow down the field of candidates. In each race, the top two vote-getters will advance to the November General Election. The Primary ballot features races for county, city, school, and fire districts, as well as several ballot measures for various districts.
“Local elections have a direct impact on the communities we live in, and your participation in the August 5 Primary is an important step in determining which candidates will move on to the November General Election,” Snohomish County Auditor Garth Fell said in a press release. “The candidates we elect this year will shape the priorities for our county, cities, schools, and other local districts.”
Voters may notice that their ballot materials look a bit different this election. These changes are part of Snohomish County Elections’ ongoing efforts to ensure voters have a positive voting experience, the Elections Office said.
The changes include a new booklet format, a reduced number of inserts in the ballot packets and more personalized instructions. The elections office is also getting rid of the stub that voters would detach before submitting their ballots.
Voters have until Monday, July 28, to register or update their existing voter registration online or by mail.
There will be 35 official ballot drop boxes open for the August Primary. Ballot drop boxes are open 24 hours a day until 8 p.m. on Election Day. A complete list of ballot drop box locations can be found in the local voters’ pamphlet and at bit.ly/SnoCo_dropbox.
Additionally, voters can return their ballots postage-free by mail. Ballots must be postmarked no later than August 5 to count.
In-person voter services, including registering to vote, updating an existing registration, obtaining a new or replacement ballot, and using accessible voting equipment, will be available until 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, August 5, at the Auditor’s Office in Everett or an accessible voter services location.
For hours of operation and addresses of accessible voter services locations, please refer to the local voters’ pamphlet or the county’s website.
Voters who have not received a ballot by July 23 should call Snohomish County Elections at 425-388-3444.
Based on a press release from the Snohomish County Auditor’s Office