Kirkland Voters Should Mail Ballots By Friday: Election Officials

KIRKLAND, WA — There are just a few days left until the Nov. 3 election, and while many will be waiting until the last minute to cast their ballots, officials recommend that anyone mailing in their ballot should send it out by Friday at the latest.

All ballots that are postmarked by Election Day will be counted, even if those ballots are received by after the Nov. 3 deadline. But just because a ballot has been mailed out, doesn't mean it will immediately be registered and postmarked. As a result, Washington election officials are urging those planning to vote by mail to have their ballots in the mailbox by Friday at the latest to ensure their vote is counted.

Related: Election 2020 Voter Guide: What's On The Ballot In King County

"If you’re going to send by mail, we recommend dropping your ballot in the mail by THIS Friday, the Friday before Election Day, to make sure it gets postmarked in time to be counted," writes King County Elections. "Your ballot must be postmarked by Election Day."

After Friday, the safest option is to take your ballot to one of King County's 73 drop boxes, which are open 24/7 until the polls close Tuesday. King County Elections estimates 96 percent of registered voters in King County live within three miles of a drop box. Elections staff collect ballots daily and return several times to areas with the highest use.

There are two drop boxes within Kirkland, and voters can find a map of all King County drop box locations online.

Here are the closest drop boxes for Kirkland voters (open 24/7)

• Kingsgate Library
  • 12315 NE 143rd Street, Kirkland
• Kirkland City Hall
  • 123 5th Avenue, Kirkland

For those who need more assistance, or still need to register to vote, King County Elections will operate seven vote centers on Saturday, Monday and Tuesday:

Locations:

• Bellevue College Gym (3000 Landerholm Circle SE G, Bellevue 98007)
• Federal Way Performing Arts & Event Center (31510 Pete von Reichbauer Way S, Federal Way 98003)
• Kenmore City Hall (18120 68th Ave NE, Kenmore, WA 98028)
• Accesso Showare Center (625 W James Street, Kent 98032)
• King County Elections Headquarters (919 SW Grady Way, Renton 98057)
• CenturyLink Field Event Center (800 Occidental Ave S, Seattle 98134)
• University of Washington Seattle Campus – Dempsey Indoor Center (Walla Walla Road, Seattle 98105)

Hours:

• Saturday, October 31:10 a.m. to 4 p.m
• Monday, November 2: 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m
• Tuesday, November 3: 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• All voters in line at the end of those days will be served before the Vote Center closes. Voters must be in line by 8 p.m. on election night to have their vote counted as on-time.

The first election results will be posted online starting around 8:15 p.m. Tuesday and updated daily until all ballots are counted.

Helpful voting links:

• Check your voter registration online
• Find your nearest vote center
• View a map of all drop box locations
• Review the voters' pamphlet
• Track your ballot

Related: 6 More Vote Centers Open In King County Saturday