Spokane officials have made special accommodations to preserve access to ballot boxes for evacuees and others affected by wildfires in the area, ahead of Tuesday’s primary election in Washington.
Those who voted early can verify whether their ballot has been received by signing into the state’s voter registration portal to check its status. If a replacement is needed, voters can request one on the site or from the Spokane County Elections Office.
It is unclear how many voters are in evacuation zones at this time, Spokane County Auditor Vicky Dalton told CNN, noting the final results will not be known until the week ends when precincts can count and analyze the ballots.
At least one drop box, at Indian Trail Library, is within an evacuation zone and has been closed. Election officials plan to visit the box with a fire department escort Monday to retrieve its contents, Dalton said.
Election officials are asking voters to visit nearby drop boxes outside of evacuation zones to drop off ballot packets. Other county locations plan to remain open through 8 p.m. on Tuesday, according to a news release from election officials.
Ballots come in waves, with about half of voters returning ballots early and the other half waiting until Election Day approaches, Dalton said, noting mail-in ballots could potentially still be sitting in people’s mailboxes.
“With people waiting until those last few days, the folks that are in the evacuation areas will probably have a lower turnout than what they would normally have, and it could be — I don’t want to say substantial — but maybe impactful.”