While 588 primary ballots were left uncounted by staff at the Skagit County Office of Elections after the Aug. 4 election, only 36, 6%, came late from the post office, David Cunningham, deputy auditor and elections supervisor told the Weekly News Tuesday. Errors from 552 citizens left their votes on the table, with the largest portion, 337, 57%, having ballot signatures not matching the on-file records. No signatures were on 215 ballots, 37% of the uncounted total. If counted, the election turnout would have been boosted to 49,067. Counted ballots made for a 60% voter turnout.

Those 36 late...