Ballots mailed this week for August primary

Election season is in full swing, with ballots going out in the mail this week for next month’s primary.

Starting July 20, drop boxes will be open 24/7 until 8 p.m. on Election Day (Aug. 7) at Barney’s Corner (40512 Meridian E.) and Eatonville City Hall (201 Center St. W.). The latter is new for this year.

However, voters don’t have to use a drop box to avoid using a stamp as in years past. For the first time, every county will include a postage-paid return envelope as part of an effort to promote turnout and reduce barriers to voting. If you are a registered voter, and you don’t receive your ballot by July 27, contact Pierce County Elections to request a replacement.

Also of note, Pierce County switched to a new ballot style last year. Voters must fill in the oval to the left of their preferred candidate with blue or black ink. Votes cast for non-declared write-in candidates will not be individually tallied.

Among the races on the August ballot are a U.S. Senate seat, a Congressional seat (the 8th District position now held by outgoing-incumbent Dave Reichert), both state House seats in the 2nd District, and Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney.

The top-two vote-getters will advance to the November general election.

For more information, or a map of all the drop boxes in Pierce County, visit www.piercecountywa.gov/4779/August-7-2018-Primary-Election. For questions, visit www.piercecountyelections.org, email pcelections@piercecountywa.gov or call (253) 798-8683 or (800) 446-4979.