Election Day is here. What you need to know in Snohomish County.

EVERETT — Election Day is here.

Voters have until 8 p.m. to return their ballots to a collection box. Mail-in ballots must be postmarked no later Nov. 5. The county will release the first batch of results shortly after 8 p.m. Tuesday, with more tallies to come in the ensuing days. Residents can register in person on the day of the election.

Voters will help choose a new president, Congress and a host of local officials. They’ll make themselves heard on a number of ballot measures, too.

Those include the much-discussed Initiative 2117 to repeal the Climate Commitment Act. More locally, Snohomish County voters will also decide the fate of a county-proposed public safety sales tax that would pull in about $40 million per year.

Other local ballot measures include dueling initiatives to raise Everett’s minimum wage and a proposition trying to give legal rights to the Snohomish River in Everett city limits.

It has been a heated election season, with much of the nation’s attention focused on the presidential race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. In a nod to this, as of Friday, over 45% of voters in Snohomish County had already returned their ballots. County turnout was 85.17% in the 2020 general election and 78.97% in 2016.

Federal races on the local ballot include U.S. senator, where Democrat Maria Cantwell is being challenged by Dr. Raul Garcia. Three U.S. House seats representing Snohomish County are up for grabs, as well. Suzan DelBene, D-Medina, has a challenge from Jeb Brewer, while Rick Larsen, D-Everett, is facing off against Cody Hart. In what will likely be a closer race, incumbent Democrat Kim Schrier is challenged by Republican Carmen Goers in the 8th Congressional District.

Schrier’s campaign has raised over $6 million, while Goers has raised about $250,000. The 8th District represents east Snohomish County, as well as parts of King, Pierce, Kittitas and Chelan counties.

Expensive campaigns have been a theme locally this election cycle, with state House and Senate candidates pulling in millions combined.

In Legislative District 10, incumbent Republican state Sen. Ron Muzzall has raised nearly $1 million. His opponent, Island County Commissioner Janet St. Clair, has raised about $600,000. In another hotly contested race, incumbent 10th District state Rep. Clyde Shavers has raised nearly $400,000.

Two Snohomish County Council members — Republican Sam Low and Democrat Strom Peterson are on the ballot for their jobs in the state Legislature. Low currently represents the 39th District, while Peterson holds a seat in the 21st District.

Low is facing off against Robert Sutherland, a former state lawmaker who has espoused conspiracy theories about the 2020 election. Peterson is facing a challenge from Republican Riaz Khan.

At the county level, Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Whitney Rivera is aiming to retain her seat on the bench as she faces Mary Anderson, who lost a close race last year.

Statewide races of note include a decision for Washington’s first new governor in a dozen years, a choice between Democratic state Attorney General Bob Ferguson and Republican Dave Reichert, a former U.S. representative. A primary for commissioner of public lands saw former U.S. Representative Jaime Herrera Beutler, a Republican, leading handily and Democrat Dave Upthegrove barely gathering enough votes to advance, setting the stage for another race to watch.

Election results are unofficial until certified by the Snohomish County Canvassing Board on Nov. 26. The state-mandated board is made up of the county auditor, the chair of the County Council, and the county prosecutor.

The Washington National Guard is on standby until Thursday to assist local law enforcement in a “purely precautionary measure” Gov. Jay Inslee’s office announced Friday.

Ballot collection boxes in Washington and Oregon were targeted with incendiary devices late last month, leaving hundreds of ballots burned. A loud response to voter intimidation tactics such as that is important in reassuring the public it is safe to vote, said Kate Bitz, a program manager with voting rights watchdog Western States Center.

At least one candidate has said it’s actually been a less charged atmosphere for campaigning.

”I’ve been threatened in prior campaigns, and this one has been much more respectful,” St. Clair said. “So I’m going to take that as a sign of hope that we all want to be less divided and go back to sort of old-fashioned politics, where we agree to disagree on issues, but we still come together as a community. I think that is a yearning that people have.”

Washington has 544 official drop boxes and 67 voting centers across the state. The state announced Monday it had surpassed five million registered voters.

Voters can head to VoteWA.gov to check the status of their ballot, print replacement ballots and locate ballot drop boxes and voting centers near them. A map of drop boxes and voting centers is also available on the the secretary of state office’s website.

Jordan Hansen: 425-339-3046; jordan.hansen@heraldnet.com; X: @jordyhansen.