Snohomish Auditor urges voters to use drop boxes amid postal changes

Snohomish County Auditor Garth Fell told voters on Monday to use official ballot drop boxes to return their ballots before the November 3 General Election. Fell said the county is urging residents to avoid mailing their ballots during the final week to prevent potential delays.

“With only one week left until Election Day, we strongly encourage voters to return their ballot using an official county-operated ballot drop box rather than mailing it,” Fell said. “Using an official ballot drop box is the best way to make sure your ballot is received on time.”

The reminder comes as recent changes to United States Postal Service mail processing procedures may affect how quickly mailed ballots are postmarked and delivered. Election officials noted that ballots must carry a postmark dated November 3 or earlier to be counted. Returning a ballot in person bypasses these postal variables entirely.

Snohomish County has placed 38 official ballot drop boxes across the jurisdiction. These locations are open 24 hours a day and will remain available until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3. The Auditor's Office published the complete list of locations on snoco.gov/elections and included them in the official voters' pamphlet.

For voters who cannot reach a drop box, Fell advised visiting a local post office to request a free, hand-stamped postmark from a postal clerk. This step ensures the ballot receives a postmark dated by the deadline. Residents should check their local post office hours before making the trip.

In-person voter registration and services are available this Saturday, October 31, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. These services are located at the Auditor's Office in Everett and at accessible voter services sites in Lynnwood, Monroe, and Arlington. Snohomish County Elections will provide accessible voting equipment at all in-person locations for voters with disabilities.

In-person services will continue on Monday, November 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. On Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, hours extend from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Addresses and specific hours for these sites are listed in the local voters' pamphlet and on the county website.

Voters can track their ballot status at VoteWA.gov to confirm it has been received, verified, and accepted. The site also alerts users to signature issues that may require attention. Residents can sign up for text alerts to receive notifications at each step of the process, including instructions if a signature problem arises.

The Auditor's Office, a division of the Snohomish County government, is led by Fell, who was first elected in 2019 and reelected in 2023. His office handles voter registration, election administration, and other vital government services for the county's residents.