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1. When will I receive my ballot?

Ballots are mailed 18 days prior to each election for local voters and up to 45 days prior to each election for voters overseas or in military service.  Sign up for the U.S. Postal Service’s free Informed Delivery tool to preview your mail scheduled to arrive each day. This includes your ballot, as well as all other elections-related letters, cards, and materials.

 

If you have not received your ballot 10 days before the election, contact Snohomish County Elections at (425) 388-3444.

2. I want to vote in person on a machine. Where can I vote in person?

Washington is a vote-by-mail state.  Every voter is sent a ballot for each election in which they are eligible. We no longer have polling places.  We do offer accessible voting sites for those who can benefit from a ballot marking device.

 

The hours and locations of our accessible voting sites are listed on the inserts that accompany your mail ballot, in the local voters’ pamphlet and on our website.

3. Where is my nearest polling place?

Washington is a vote-by-mail state.  Every voter is sent a ballot for each election in which they are eligible.  We no longer have polling places.  We do offer a limited number of accessible voting sites for those who can benefit from a ballot marking device.

The hours and locations of our accessible voting sites are listed on the inserts that accompany your mail ballot, in the local voters’ pamphlet and on our website.

4. I didn’t get a Local Voters’ Pamphlet. How can I get one?

One local voters’ pamphlet is mailed to every household in Snohomish County for primaries, general elections, and countywide special elections. In smaller special elections, the local voters’ pamphlet is included as an insert in the ballot packet.

If you did not get one, you can view the local voters’ pamphlet on the Snohomish County website or visit www.VoteWA.gov to see candidate statements and ballot measures specific to your ballot.

5. Why did I get a Local Voters’ Pamphlet but not a ballot?

Local voters’ pamphlets are mailed to every household by zip code, whether or not there are active voters at the address.

Not all elections have issues or races for all voters to consider.  You may get a voters’ pamphlet and not a ballot. You can confirm your eligibility for an election by visiting www.VoteWA.gov. If you believe you should have received a ballot, call us at (425) 388-3444.

6. How can I get a replacement ballot?

If you have misplaced or damaged your issued ballot, you can get a replacement ballot by:

• Contacting Snohomish County Elections at (425) 388-3444.  
• Visiting the Snohomish County Auditor’s Office or one of our accessible voting sites. Please see a list of locations on our website.
• Visiting www.VoteWA.gov to download and print your replacement ballot.

7. How do I return my voted ballot?

You can return your voted ballot through the mail or through a county ballot drop box.

 

Follow the instructions on the envelopes that come with your ballot to prepare for return, including signing the oath on your return envelope.

 

If you choose to return your ballot through the mail, no postage is required.  Your ballot envelope must be postmarked on or before Election Day. To ensure your ballot is received on time, remember to check the last pick-up time on the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) mailbox.

 

If using a county ballot drop box, make sure your ballot envelope is returned before 8 p.m. on Election Day.

 

Once returned, you can track the receipt and acceptance of your ballot by visiting www.VoteWA.gov.

8. Is it safe to return my ballot through the mail?

Returning your ballot through the mail is safe.

 

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has been a valuable, trusted partner in our elections for decades. The return ballot envelope is designed to help the USPS quickly direct returned ballots to our office, taking advantage of routing technology and other tools.  County elections staff actively monitor the delivery of mail and meet daily during the election with USPS representatives to ensure that ballot mail is being properly handled and delivered.

 

If you return your ballot by mail, check the last pick-up time on the USPS mailbox to ensure your ballot will be postmarked on or before Election Day.  

 

If in doubt, return your voted ballot to an official ballot drop box before 8 p.m. on Election Day.   Ballot drop box locations can be found on the insert with your ballot, in the local voters’ pamphlet or on our website.

9. What software and hardware does your elections office use?

Snohomish County Elections uses Clear Ballot’s Clear Vote system to design and tabulate our ballots.  Voter registration records are maintained by each county through a statewide registration database managed by the Washington Secretary of State. 

10. How do I find out who is the incumbent in an elected office?

Find a list of elected officials here.