Record number of ballots dropped off in King County in first days

KING COUNTY, Wash. — Elections officials are scrambling to keep up with a record number of ballots dropped off.

In King County, 90,000 ballots were dropped off this weekend alone. Another 40,000 ballots arrived Monday by mail.

It has elections officials giddy. They don’t know if this indicates a big turnout or people getting their ballots in early. But whatever it is, they like what they see.

It is a sight no King County Elections official has ever seen.

With so many people dropping off so many ballots so early, the load became too much for some ballot boxes to hold.

On Saturday, officials said that they were hearing of ballot drop boxes filling up from people voting.

Sabrina Szeto, of Renton, who was dropping off her ballot at the King County Elections headquarters, said she didn’t want to wait. “I want to get my vote counted right away,” she said.

Alex Jamido said he was aware he could wait to vote. “I’m dropping my ballot box, my vote right now,” he said. And when asked if he was concerned about his ballot, he replied, “Yes, I am.”

“My boss convinced me that it’s better to go to the actual box,” said Michelle Matas, of Kent.

King County Elections officials released their own video of the struggle to keep up with all the ballots.

“Everyone here at Elections is excited and surprised,” said Kendall Hodson, King County Elections' chief of staff. “It has been an unprecedented weekend in voters getting their ballots turned in.”

Hodson said nearly six times more people have cast ballots in just two days than during the first five days of the last presidential primary.

She said that bodes well for getting more complete results on election night.

“The more voters can vote early and get us ballots early, we can get more results in election night,” Hodson said.

Still, it wasn’t enough for Michael Johnson to use the drop box. “I feel like my vote has not been counted,” said the Renton resident.

So he went inside to vote.

“Last few years with (Gov. Jay) Inslee getting in office and having to recount and recount and recount until (he) finally wins, I’m tired of it,” he said. “So this year I’m voting in person.”

There was even a line for that.

King County has set another record, sending out nearly 1.4 million ballots. Officials said all ballots should now be in voters' mailboxes. Also, they said anyone whose ballot hasn’t arrived should call or check the King County Elections website.

Cox Media Group