Statewide Voter Turnout Nears 38% In Washington

OLYMPIA, WA — Washington voters are outpacing turnout at more than twice the level seen in the 2016 presidential election, with approximately 37.7 percent of ballots returned across the state by Friday night.

According to the Secretary of State's office, 1,825,689 of Washington's 4,842,423 registered voters sent in their ballots by 5 p.m. Friday, with 11 days until the polls close. Elections officials are projecting record voter participation, including in King County, where the director of elections challenged voters to hit the 90 percent mark.

Leading the pack so far is Ferry County, home of Republican gubernatorial challenger Loren Culp, where turnout is just shy of 58 percent.

Here are the top 10 counties for voter participation, by percentage (as of Oct. 23)

1. Ferry County: 57.9 percent (2,974 ballots)
2. Jefferson County: 55.7 percent (15,329 ballots)
3. Columbia County: 55.6 percent (1,561 ballots)
4. Pacific County: 52.9 percent (8,749 ballots)
5. Thurston County: 49.8 percent (99,514 ballots)
6. Pend Oreille: 48.2 percent (4,916 ballots)
7. Spokane County: 46.6 percent (167,543 ballots)
8. Island County: 46.1 percent (28,829 ballots)
9. Lewis County: 45.6 percent (24,465 ballots)
10. Mason County: 44.1 percent (19,262 ballots)

In the state's three most populous counties, King leads with 40.6 percent turnout (575,050 ballots), followed by Snohomish at 33.1 percent (169,756 ballots) and Pierce at 27.8 percent (156,015 ballots).

Related coverage:

Election 2020 Voter Guide: What's On My Ballot In Pierce County?

Election 2020 Voter Guide: What's On The Ballot In King County

New voters still have time to register online and by mail through Monday, Oct. 26. In King County, elections officials told Patch more than 10,000 voters signed up between Oct. 14, when ballots were mailed, and mid-day Friday.

After Monday, voters can only register or update their information in-person. Ballots can be returned to official vote centers, at hundreds of drop box locations across the state, or sent through the mail with no postage required. Elections officials encourage voters mail ballots no later than Friday, Oct. 30, to ensure an on-time postmark.

Helpful links for voters:

King County

• Register to vote or update registration online
• Find your nearest vote center
• 24/7 drop box locations
• Voters' pamphlet
• General information from King County Elections

Pierce County

• Register to vote or update registration online
• Find the nearest drop box location
• Read the state and county voters' pamphlets
• Request a ballot replacement