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<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   Related Stories • Dana nibbles into Somers’ lead 11/7/09 • Colorado ski town legalizes pot 11/3/09 • McDonnell wins Virginia governorship for GOP 11/3/09 • Republican Christie captures N.J. governor’s race 11/3/09 • Democrat wins House seat in heavily GOP area of N.Y. 11/3/09 • Maine voters repeal gay-marriage law 11/3/09 » More ELECTION2009 stories >   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Tuesday, November 3, 2009 It’s Election Day; get your ballot in By Oscar Halpert Herald Writer If you’re a voter who’s put off casting your ballot, you still have time to vote — but you’d better hurry. Your mail-in general election ballot must be postmarked or delivered to a drop box today to count in the election. To save the stamp turn in the signed and dated ballot at any one of five drop-off locations, including a new, 24-hour Everett drop-off spot. Snohomish County elections officials are expected to begin counting ballots at 1 p.m. today and should have a final tally available shortly after 8 p.m., said Garth Fell, elections manager. Officials had predicted a 53 percent voter turnout, which would be about 197,000 ballots, Fell said. As of Monday afternoon, however, ballots were being turned in at a lighter rate than officials expected. “At this point, we’re not trending that high,” Fells said. “It will be interesting to see if we get that high a turnout, and we would encourage everybody to get out and vote, if that’s their choice.” For the most part, the all-mail ballot process was proceeding without a hitch, except for a mad rush in Mill Creek, where last-minute voters showed up at the Mill Creek Library in droves Monday to drop off their ballots. “It’s a nice problem to have,” said library manager Darlene Weber. “Being way too busy because we’re serving the needs of our community is the only problem a librarian wants to have.” Reinforcements, in the form of elections office workers, arrived at the library to help ease the parking lot crowding, said county Auditor Carolyn Weikel. “We’re trying to get those ballots before people even get out of their cars,” she said. County voters this year will vote on two hotly debated statewide initiatives, a library tax proposition and a slew of school district, county and city council seats as well as a Superior Court judge. Many directors for fire and water districts will also be selected in this election. Additionally, the south county cities of Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace and Brier are asking voters to OK an increase in the property tax levy rate to fund emergency medical services. Oscar Halpert: 425-339-3429, ohalpert@heraldnet.com. Drop-off sites Ballots can be dropped off from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. today at the following locations: Snohomish Library, 311 Maple Ave. Marysville Library, 6120 Grove St. Mill Creek Library, 15429 Bothell-Everett Highway Lynnwood Library, 19200 44th Ave. W. A 24-hour drop-off site is available on the Snohomish County campus, Rockefeller Avenue and Wall Street, Everett. READER COMMENTS Log in or register to post new comment | Log out County Campus Drop-off As per the Snohomish County website, [Ballots can be returned until 8:00pm on Election Day. The box is located at the corner of Rockefeller Avenue and Wall Street in Everett.] --A Rico Tessandore for Judge supporter. Zack Lewis | Nov 3, 2009 2:59 pm | 0 replies | View all | Post reply | Request removal ref 71 URGING YOU TO VOTE YES ON 71. We need to be kind to each other and our children and in voting YES on 71 you show that you respect differences and embrace diversity. IT'S TIME HAS COME! Let's make change and give civil rights to all. cynthia worthen | Nov 3, 2009 6:14 am | 0 replies | View all | Post reply | Request removal

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