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NEWPORT — Ballots for the general election will be mailed Thursday, Oct. 16. As Election Day approaches, every Pend Oreille County voter should be aware of the options to return their ballot, whether mailing it, using a drop box or voting from afar. The U.S. Postal Service recommends mailing ballots at least one week before Election Day to ensure a timely postmark. This year, Vote Early Day is Tuesday, Oct. 28. If local, use a ballot drop box after the Friday before Election Day rather than mailing your ballot. If the person is not local, they should mail their ballot no later than one week before Election Day. During the final week, call the Pend Oreille County Elections office for help with other options. If it’s the last few days before Election Day, people can walk their ballot into the post office and ask staff to hand-cancel or handstamp it to ensure a clear Election Day postmark.
Drop boxes are the safest way to return ballots during the final week and on Election Day. Individuals can use any official ballot drop box in Washington state; their ballot will be securely routed to the county where they are a registered voter. Drop box locations are listed in the local voters’ pamphlet, on ballot materials, on the county’s website and on VoteWA.gov. All drop boxes are secure and collected frequently by official election staff.
