Vote-by-mail: Just about all of us ...

Based on preliminary numbers from Washington's 39 county elections offices, it looks like about 99 percent of us voted by mail in the November election. That's about as close as you can get to all vote-by-mail as long as Pierce County continues to allow poll-site voting.

Image
voterballot2
Under Washington law, the shift from poll-site voting has been swift. First, voters were allowed to sign up for no-excuse "permanent absentee" status, meaning they were automatically sent ballots every election. Tons of people picked this option. Then the Legislature made it possible for each county to switch entirely to vote-by-mail -- and the rush was soon on. County Auditors said it was a little cheaper – and a lot more popular with their voters, boosting participation.

All but Pierce – where the tradition of poll-site voting lives on, at least for now, for a small number of voters.

Dave Motz, statistics expert for the state Elections Division, released numbers today that showed the transition to mail-voting is nearly complete, de facto. Pierce County's unofficial tally of poll-site voters is 17,304 as of Monday afternoon. Total voting statewide is north of 1.8 million, including those left to count.

Thus most Pierce voters also have switched to mail-it-in and the current calculation is 99 percent of us statewide voting by mail or drop-off box. Only Oregon tops that -- 100 percent!


(html)

Secretary of State
Steve Hobbs

Image
Image of Secretary of State Steve Hobbs

Connect with Us

Search Our Corner

About this Blog

The Washington Office of the Secretary of State’s blog provides from-the-source information about important state news and public services.

This space acts as a bridge between the public and Secretary Steve Hobbs and his staff, and we invite you to contribute often to the conversation here.

Comments Disclaimer

The comments and opinions expressed by users of this blog are theirs alone and do not reflect the opinions of the Secretary of State’s Office or its employees. The agency screens all comments in accordance with the Secretary of State’s blog use policy, and only those that comply with that policy will be approved and posted. Outside comments will not be edited by the agency.