Spokane County elections office reminds everyone to check mailing info before ballots are sent out this week

SPOKANE COUNTY, Wash. — There is still time to change your address or register to vote if needed before ballots get sent out later this week.

More than 375,000 ballots are currently sitting in the Spokane County elections office, ready to be sent out starting Wednesday.

The elections office has already sent out more than 8,000 ballots to military members and overseas voters, some of which have already been returned and are being processed.

“We’d really appreciate it if you make up your minds and vote early,” Spokane County auditor Vicky Dalton said. “Get it into the drop boxes. You can use the mail for about a week and a half or so, but starting a week before election day, use the drop boxes.”

The elections office wants people to double check they are registered to vote at the right address, especially anyone displaced by the Spokane area fires. You are able to do that online until October 26.

“We really want them to go to VoteWA.gov and check their addresses. You can still use your residence address even if your home is gone, but double check that mailing address and make sure that you’re going to be able to receive your ballot,” Dalton said.

After October 26, you will have to stop by the elections office in person if you want to change your address or register to vote.

Once you get your ballot, the elections office has some tips to make sure your ballot is in on time and counted properly.

“When it gets closer to election day, if you need to use the post office, please take it inside and have it hand-canceled,” Dalton said.

Changes with the Postal Service are changing when ballots are postmarked. Any ballot postmarked on or before election day will be counter, but if you mail in your ballot on election day, it likely will not be postmarked in time.

“We’d really appreciate it if you make up your minds and vote early,” Dalton said. “Get it into the drop boxes. You can use the mail for about a week and a half or so. But starting a week before election day, use the drop boxes.”

Anyone with questions about voting can call the elections office or stop by in person.