Aug. 30, 2005

Local voters' pamphlet and absentee ballots arrive in mailboxes this week

This week when 585,000 absentee voters in King County open their Primary ballot packages they will see the familiar pick-a-party ballot which debuted last year. The color-coded ballot with blue and red party designations, reminds voters to pick a party first and then only vote for candidates within that party for partisan races before going on to vote in the nonpartisan races.

"The pick-a-party requirement is straightforward but it is important voters remember to make a party selection or their choices for candidates in partisan races may not count," said Dean Logan, Director of Records, Elections and Licensing Services.

Election officials predict up to 75 percent of the turnout in the Primary will be ballots cast through the mail continuing a trend of King County voters choosing to vote by mail. In the similarly sized 2003 Primary, 74 percent of the votes cast were by absentee ballot.

This year there are a total of 60 county races in the Primary. Voters will find anywhere from six to 16 races on their ballot depending on the district and precinct in which they reside.

As ballots went into the mail, Logan reminded absentee voters of five steps they can take to ensure their vote is processed accurately:

Follow instructions. Use a dark pen to fill in the oval next to your choice. Fill in the oval completely. If you make an error in voting, draw an "x" through the error and fill in the correct oval.
Pick a party before you vote. In the Primary, remember to vote only for candidates that correspond to your party preference and then vote in the non-partisan contests.
Sign your absentee ballot return envelope. To ensure your absentee ballot is counted, be sure to sign the yellow return envelope before you mail it.
Double check! Before submitting your ballot, take a second look. Make sure you've followed directions and filled in the ovals completely. Take the extra effort to ensure your vote is counted.
Mail your ballot early! Absentee ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day.

To ensure voters are aware of these steps, King County has launched a voter outreach and education campaign that includes bus ads, public service announcements on King County Television and postcards mailed to the homes of all registered voters. Those who cast a ballot at the polls will see a different version of the postcard in the week leading up to the September 20 Primary with an important message to bring identification to the polls, a new state law.

The King County Local Voters' Pamphlet began arriving at households this week too. In addition to information about the candidates and measures on the ballot, the pamphlet provides information on the changes King County has made to ensure accurate elections and the life cycle of the ballot counting process.

"We're doing our part to improve elections in this county and there are ways that voters can help," said Dean Logan. "Along with all county auditors, we're urging voters to do their part and vote correctly. Now more than ever, voters need to properly fill out the ovals on their ballot. If you vote absentee, be sure to sign the voter oath on the back of the yellow return envelope and return your ballot promptly."

Absentee voters who do not receive their ballot in the mail by September 8, 2005 should call 206-296-VOTE.

Updated: Aug. 30, 2005

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