Snohomish County ballots must be postmarked by Tuesday

Time is running out to cast your vote in Tuesday’s primary election.

Ballots can be dropped off at designated locations until 8 p.m. Tuesday. If you put it in the mail, it must be postmarked no later than Tuesday in order to be counted.

Snohomish County Auditor Carolyn Weikel mailed ballots to nearly 378,000 registered voters and is predicting 41 percent will cast them.

Meanwhile, Secretary of State Sam Reed is forecasting a turnout of 38 percent of the state’s 3.59 million registered voters.

The primary features the nationally watched U.S. Senate race in which Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., is expected to advance and face one of three Republicans: Dino Rossi, Clint Didier or Paul Akers.

This election also features a Snohomish County contest garnering statewide attention.

State Sen. Jean Berkey, D-Everett, is facing two challengers, Democrat Nick Harper and conservative Rod Rieger.

A coalition of statewide labor groups are bankrolling a nearly $300,000 campaign opposing Berkey and supporting the first-time candidacy of Harper.

Also on the primary, a number of school districts are asking voters to support an increase in levies to maintain operations.

For information about the election, call (425) 388-3444 or go online to www.snoco.org/elections.

Reporter Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com.

Where to drop off ballots

Voters can bring their ballot to the Snohomish County Auditor’s Office at 3000 Rockefeller Ave. in Everett or place it in the drop box at the corner of Rockefeller Avenue and Wall Street. Ballots will be collected at five area locations today, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Tuesday, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

These are:

Lynnwood Sno-Isle Library, 19200 44th Ave. W, Lynnwood;

Marysville Sno-Isle Library, 6120 Grove St., Marysville;

Mill Creek QFC Store, 926 164th St. SE, Mill Creek;

Mukilteo Sno-Isle Library, 4675 Harbour Pointe Blvd., Mukilteo;

Snohomish Sno-Isle Library, 311 Maple Ave., Snohomish