Election season is upon us. Ballots for the Nov. 8 general election should arrive in voters’ mailboxes this week.
If you are a registered voter, there’s no excuse not to vote. Our state has made it easy. Instead of making a trip to a polling place on election day to cast a ballot, you can exercise your civic duty from the comfort of your own home.
After casting your ballot, there are several options to return it. You can stick a first-class stamp on it and drop it in a mailbox. If you want to save 47 cents or prefer to return your ballot in person, there are drop boxes around the county.
Earlier this year, the King County Council approved adding 33 drop boxes throughout the county, bringing the total to 43. While there are no ballot boxes in Tukwila, there are several nearby.
In addition to the King County Elections Office (919 SW Grady Way, Renton) and the Maleng Regional Justice Center (401 4th Ave. N., Kent), drop boxes have been added at many public libraries, including Valley View (17850 Military Road S., SeaTac), South Park (8604 8th Ave. S., Seattle), White Center (1409 SW 107th St., Seattle) and Skyway, (12601 76th Ave. S. Seattle), as well as Burien’s Town Square Park (400 SW 152nd St.).
Drop boxes are accessible 24 hours a day, beginning Oct. 20. Ballots must be returned to a drop-off location by 8 p.m. election day.
Voters who need assistance completing their ballot can visit an accessible voting center, where trained staff and specialized equipment are available to help voters with disabilities cast a private, independent ballot. The nearest accessible voting location for Tukwila residents is the county Elections Office.
Oct. 10 was the deadline to update voter registration information for the November election, but if you are a first-time voter in the state, you have until Monday, Oct. 31, to register to vote in person at the county Elections Office.
Voters who missed the Oct. 10 deadline to update their registration can still contact the Elections Office to update their information for future elections.
For more information on voter registration, visit kingcounty.gov/depts/elections/how-to-vote/register-to-vote.aspx.
For a complete list of ballot drop boxes or general information about the election, go to kingcounty.gov/depts/elections.aspx.
Heidi Sanders is assistant editor of the Tukwila Reporter. She can be reached at hsanders@tukwilareporter.com or 253-656-5652.
