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NEWPORT — The Pend Oreille County Auditor’s Office is expanding voter access by adding three new secure ballot drop boxes ahead of the Aug. 4 Primary Election, providing residents with additional convenient locations to return their voted ballots.
The Official Local Voters’ Pamphlet is expected to begin arriving in mailboxes in the coming days, and all ballots will be mailed by Friday, July 17, giving voters ample time to review candidates and measures before Election Day.
The new ballot drop box locations are:
• South Pend Oreille Fire & Rescue Station, Diamond Lake 325272 Hwy. 2, Newport, WA 99156
• Cusick Town Hall 111 S. 1st Ave., Cusick, WA 99119
• Metaline Falls Town Hall 205 E. 5th Ave., Metaline Falls, WA 99153 The three new drop boxes will be installed this week and will be available throughout the voting period.
They complement the county’s existing secure ballot drop box network, making it easier for voters across Pend Oreille County to return their ballots close to home, according to the auditor’s office.
“Making voting accessible and convenient is one of our highest priorities,” Pend Oreille County Auditor Marianne Nichols said. “These new drop boxes will provide more opportunities for voters in our communities to safely and securely return their ballots close to home.”
Voters are encouraged to return their ballots as early as possible. Although ballots can be returned by mail with no postage required, the U.S. Postal Service has implemented operational changes recently that may affect delivery times. To ensure ballots are received by the deadline, voters should mail their ballots early or use one of the county’s secure ballot drop boxes.
All official ballot drop boxes are secure, monitored and available 24 hours a day throughout the voting period. Each drop box will close promptly at 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Aug. 4.
Voters can track the status of their ballot through VoteWA, sign up for text alerts and find additional election information by visiting the Pend Oreille County Auditor’s Office website or by contacting the Elections Office at 509447-6472.
