Record voter turnout possible
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October 28, 2020
If you haven't voted, bring your ballot to the drop box in front of the La Conner Library today. Your vote will absolutely be counted if you vote here by 8 p.m. Tuesday. – Photo by Ken Stern
Skagit County voters are on their way to record breaking participation in the 2020 presidential election. With one week to go, the County’s election office had ballots for almost 53% of its registered voters, reported Laura Han, the County’s public information officer. On Oct. 27 elections staff had “signatured checked 29,700 ballots” and had collected approximately 15,000 additional ballots.
The elections office staff estimate turnout may be as high as 90% of the 85,159 registered voters. That will exceed the 87% participation in 2008 when Barak Obama first ran for president.
The early filling of County ballot drop boxes in La Conner and the Swinomish Reservation has slowed to slightly above average, Han noted, with higher than normal participation across the county for a general election.
Elections office staff are already working overtime and will as needed in November. Staff have made COVID-19 workplace safety adjustments, and are “moving along largely without issue,” Han wrote. A new signature verification machine will not be used.
An estimate of the number of ballots tabulated for election night cannot be made, Han wrote. The total counted Nov. 3 depends on the length of time ballots have been in the office and processed as well as the total ballots collected.
Initial election results are traditionally announced in-person at 8 p.m. at the Mount Vernon elections office. COVID-19 safety guidelines preclude that from occurring.
Han again stressed voting early and “voters patience with the process.” Staff send letters in response to questionable ballots. Timely responses back to the elections office are crucial, she wrote. Ballots are counted until the County certifies results Nov. 24, she noted.
Citizens may register on election day in person at the elections office. “We commonly see a surge of people registering to vote before presidential elections.” Han wrote in her email Tuesday.
Han warned of a false website, “votewashington.info,” writing the “website is not affiliated with” the Secretary of State’s office and has been reported to other agencies. The official state website is www.votewa.gov to check your ballot. For questions locally, call the Auditors Office: 360-416-1702.
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