SEATTLE - There's a new wrinkle in next month's election that could make it harder for people to vote. King County Elections has eliminated 18 ballot drop box locations to save $140,000. The money would have paid for printing pamphlets about drop box locations that are mailed with the ballots.
Now, voters only have two places to drop off their ballot for free or pay the 44-cent stamp to mail it in. And that has some voters outraged.
"Granted it's only 46 cents or whatever it is right now, but you know that's times two, everything counts in our household," said Kathleen McNamara, who tried to drop off her ballot at the Kent Library.
Others who are fighting to get the word out about school levies across the county are worried some people might be deterred from voting.
"I'm really concerned about that window on February 9 after the post office closes at 5, 5:30, 6 and then people will end up at their neighborhood service centers and then discover that they don't have an opportunity to drop their ballots there," said Sharon Rodgers, spokesperson for Seattle Schools First.
If you dropped off your ballot in the wrong location, call (206) 296-VOTE and elections workers will re-issue you another ballot. You can drop off your ballot at the King County Administration Building in Seattle or at King County Elections Headquarters at 9010 E. Marginal Way S. in Tukwila.
