Tired of political campaign calls? Turning your ballot in early could help stop them

SPOKANE, Wash. — Election Day is still two weeks away, but voting in Washington is already in full swing.

Spokane County election officials said the county is on track to have 80-82% voter turnout for the general election.

With the vote by mail system, candidates will use the up-to-date voter registration information to check if you cast your ballot as part of their campaign strategy.

This process is known as matchback. When a ballot is sent out, that information is available. When you send it back, that information is recorded as well.

Campaigns can then pick up that information, match it back to the list of voters they want to contact and remove that voter from the contact list.

“If you send your ballot back early, it is highly likely you are going to be removed from those contact lists and not be bothered anymore,” said Spokane County auditor Vicky Dalton. “That is a great advantage of voting early and getting your ballots in right away.”

Campaigns have access to your name, address, age, gender, and if your ballot has not been returned. Your signature, contact information, and how you vote is not released.

For campaigns, the matchback strategy is cost-effective and efficient way to target their campaign approach.

“We really look at it a couple different ways. One, who’s still making up their mind, how can we share our vision for the future and the policies that we support? And also, trying to encourage those who maybe are not turning their ballots,” said Democratic State Senator candidate, Marcus Riccelli.

The statistics on ballots is released daily by the Washington Secretary of State’s Office website on business days. Specific matchback statistics for districts in Spokane can be requested through the county through a form. Republican State Representative candidate Tony Kiepe’s team also uses the method.

“So, we’re looking at, if you already voted, we’re not going to keep sending you literature. We’re going to save money,” he said.

Election officials say this method is mostly used by more sophisticated and larger campaigns.

You are encouraged to contact the elections office immediately if you have not yet received your ballot in the mail.

The last day to register to vote is October 28. In-person registration will be possible through Election Day on November 5.

For more information on Spokane County elections go here.