Voter turnout for Snohomish County’s general election could be twice as high as in the primary, driven by hot races and all-mail ballots.

Election officials said 74 percent of voters might cast ballots, nearly matching the 75 percent in the 2000 presidential election.

“I think we’re going to have a higher-than-normal turnout because of the all-mail election environment we’re in,” said Carolyn Diepenbrock, county election manager.

“All over, there are a lot of different districts and races that are drawing attention.”

The U.S. Senate race between Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell and Republican Mike McGavick is top of the ticket, followed by state Senate and House races, and statewide initiatives on property rights, estate taxes and renewable energy. Locally, voters will consider library district annexations and county charter amendments.

About 334,000 general election ballots head out in the mail today as part of the county’s second all-mail election. More than 1,700 ballots were mailed to military and overseas voters last week.

Local voter guides were mailed Wednesday. Other voter resources are available online; go to www1.co.snohomish.wa.us and search for “elections.” Election headquarters can be called at 425-388-3444.

Six post offices, including Everett, Marysville and Snohomish, plan to postmark election ballots up until 8 p.m. on election day under a new agreement with the county.

For voters who don’t want to return their ballots in the mail, officials plan to have 22 drop-off locations around the county starting Nov. 1. Locations are listed in the voter pamphlet and include grocery stores and coffee shops.

General election ballots can be returned through the mail with a first-class stamp, Diepenbrock said. Primary election ballots in September weretoo heavy to be mailed with just a 39-cent first-class stamp.

The county has some electronic voting machines already available during business hours for use by disabled voters or people who don’t prefer the mail-in ballot. The machines are at the auditor’s office, 3000 Rockefeller Ave. in Everett.

More voting machines are available at the Everett Station transit center, 3201 Smith Ave. in Everett, from noon to 4 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and all day election day.

Reporter Jeff Switzer: 425-339-3452 or jswitzer@heraldnet.com.