Strong Early Voter Turnout In Washington Leading To Election Day

OLYMPIA, WA — With just two days left to cast ballots in the Nov. 3 election, Washington is maintaining a record-breaking pace for early voting, with 67.6 percent of ballots returned by early Saturday afternoon. By comparison, just 43.9 percent of ballots were received at the same point in the 2016 presidential election.

According to the Secretary of State's office, Washington's 39 counties have already received ballots from at least 3,292,135 of the state's 4,873,146 registered voters by Saturday. The state did not update its totals Sunday.

This year, elections officials are projecting record voter participation, including in King County, where the director of elections challenged voters to hit the 90 percent mark. County elections officials reported 72 percent turnout by Sunday, and more than 76 percent of Seattle ballots returned.

Leading the pack is Jefferson County, where turnout is sitting at 77.5 percent.

Here are the top 10 counties for voter participation, by percentage (as of Oct. 31)

1. Jefferson County: 77.5 percent (21,429 ballots)
2. Ferry County: 75.7 percent (3,916 ballots)
3. Columbia County: 75.7 percent (2,139 ballots)
4. Whatcom County: 73 percent (115,425 ballots)
5. Pacific County: 72 percent (11,983 ballots)
6. Island County: 71.9 percent (45,241 ballots)
7. Kittitas County: 71.6 percent (21,614 ballots)
8. Whitman County: 71.1 percent (17,418 ballots)
9. Mason County: 71 percent (31,227 ballots)
10. Lincoln County: 70.8 percent (5,673 ballots)

In the state's three most populous counties, King leads with 70 percent turnout (1,014,557 ballots), followed by Snohomish at 66.8 percent (345,433 ballots) and Pierce at 63.5 percent (359,255 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

Friday was the last day recommended to send ballots via mail to ensure an on-time postmark. Ballots can still be returned to official vote centers, and at hundreds of drop box locations across the state until the polls close Tuesday, Nov. 3, at 8 p.m. In Washington, voters who still need to register can do so, in-person, up until the last minute.

In King County, seven vote centers are open Monday and Tuesday to assist last-minute voters with anything they need, including registration and replacement ballots. Pierce County voters can visit elections headquarters for drive-thru service at 2501 South 35th Street, Suite C, in Tacoma. In Snohomish County, voters have four locations to choose from Monday and Tuesday.

Helpful links for voters:

King County

• Find your nearest vote center
• 24/7 drop box locations
• Voters' pamphlet
• General information from King County Elections

Pierce County

• Find the nearest drop box location
• Read the state and county voters' pamphlets
• Request a ballot replacement