SNOHOMISH COUNTY—With just three days left to vote in the 2024 General Election, Washington state is seeing an 18-point reduction in ballot returns, or 814,000 ballots, in 2024 when compared to 2020 despite there being approximately just over 100,000 more registered voters. On a state level, there are 4,993,699 registered voters in Washington with 2,362,291 (or 47.28%) of these voters having returned their ballots as of the morning of Saturday, November 2. Just under one percent, or 19,188 ballots, have been challenged or not accepted.
By the same many of days before the ballot due date in 2020, Snohomish County had a 63.85% return rate, nearly 91,000 more ballots returned that election year compared to 2024. Out of the 530,227 registered voters in Snohomish County, only 240,749 have returned their ballots as of the morning of Saturday, November 2—a 45.40% return rate, according to the Secretary of State’s Office. Approximately 0.62% or 1,495 of these ballots have either been not accepted or challenged.
“Life happens—whether it’s traffic or other unexpected situations that interfere with our best laid plans, which is why it’s important not to wait until the last minute to vote and return your ballot,” said Snohomish County Auditor Garth Fell. “With less than a week to go until the November 5 Election Day deadline, I encourage voters to take action now.”
Washington State Republican Party Chair Jim Walsh sees great promise and opportunity in the low early return data for the current general election. According to Walsh, the Republican Party’s modeled match back analysis indicates that Republican voters are returning ballots at levels equal to or above the 2020 general election.
“It’s Democrat voters who are not voting. We suspect they aren’t voting early because they are discouraged by the poor performance of their presidential candidate,” Walsh told the Lynnwood Times.
Walsh explained, “The counties and precincts where the early-return numbers have fallen farthest are places that tend to vote Democrat very strongly. For moderate and conservative voters in Washington, this is good news! If left-wing voters are discouraged, moderate and conservative candidates and causes may have greater chances of winning. So moderate and conservative votes will be more important than in previous elections.”
On the other side of the aisle, Stephen Reed, Director of Communications for the Washington State Democrats, informed the Lynnwood Times that it’s unfair to compare 2020 ballot return data when most of the country was self-isolating at home due to the pandemic and, because of that, voters had more time to think about, and remember, to vote.
Reed further mentioned that around this time in both 2018 and 2022, our most recent non-pandemic elections, match backs around this time accounted for just under 50% of the vote. Reed said as of now, the numbers still look to be on track for at least 80% turnout as he expects to see an exponential return of ballots in the coming days.
“We encourage everyone to get their ballots in as soon as possible and we are thrilled with the excitement and participation we’re seeing around the state. Everyone should be encouraging their friends and neighbors to get their ballots into a secure and official drop box,” Reed told the Lynnwood Times.
Snohomish County Elections encouraged voters to cast their ballots as soon as they can to ensure that their ballot is received on time while sparing the anticipation of long lines at ballot drop boxes, the post office, accessible voting sites, or the Auditor’s Office on Election Day. Returning ballots early also increases the likelihood that votes will be part of the preliminary release of unofficial results on Election Night the office said.
Voters in the county can do this in two ways: either utilizing one of 35 official and secure ballot drop boxes or by using the U.S. mail service. No stamp is needed to return your ballot by mail, but it must my postmarked no later than November 5 to be counted.
Those who live in rural areas should pay close attention to their local mail collection times to ensure their ballot will be postmarked on time.
Official ballot boxes are open 24 hours a day leading up to election night and will be open until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 5. A complete list of ballot drop box locations can be found in the inserts accompanying the ballot and on the county elections website: snohomishcountywa.gov/5726/Find-a-Ballot-Drop-Box.
The number of ballots counted and reported on Election Night and each day thereafter will depend greatly on how many ballots are returned before Election Day, the Auditor’s Office said.
The results given on Election Night typically include all ballots that have been received through the Monday before Election Day, but Snohomish County Elections will continue to count, audit, and resolving voter signature issues, on ballots until all results are certified on November 26.
In addition to the Presidential race, the General Election ballot features state initiatives; races for federal, state, and local offices, including U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative, Governor and state executive offices, State Senator, State Representative, judicial positions, and Public Utility District Commissioner. Also included are local ballot measures for voters in Snohomish County, the City of Everett, the City of Monroe, the Town of Woodway, Arlington School District No. 16, Lake Stevens School District No. 4, and Sultan School District No. 311.
Voters can use reliable tools to track their ballots, including VoteWA.gov and text alerts, which inform voters when their ballot has been received by our elections office, verified, and accepted for counting.
If a registered voter has not received their ballot, they should call Snohomish County Elections at 425-388-3444. For individuals who still need to register to vote or get a ballot, in-person voter services will be available up until 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, November 5, at the Auditor’s Office in Everett and at designated accessible voting sites during specific hours. For voters with disabilities, Snohomish County Elections will have accessible voting equipment available at those same locations.
