Voting Instructions
Vote by Mail
Snohomish County conducts all elections through the mail. The postage for returning your ballot is one first class postage stamp. There are no polling places. Your ballot envelope must be postmarked no later than Election Day.
How to Mark Your Ballot
It only takes a single line to mark your ballot (
). You may use pencil or pen to mark your choices. Multiple lines drawn between the arrow may damage your ballot. Do not use a felt tip pen, as it will cause a shadow to appear on the other side of your ballot. This may cause the equipment to read your votes incorrectly.
Remove the Stub
Remember to remove the stub at the top of the ballot before sealing it in the secrecy envelope.
How to Change Your Vote
Draw a line through the entire candidate’s name or measure response. You then have the option of making another choice. Do not use white out or erase. You can request a replacement ballot by calling the Elections office at 425-388-3444.
How to Add a Name to the Ballot
If you would like to add a person’s name that is not already printed on the ballot, connect the arrow and write in the persons name and party affiliation on the line provided.
It's OK to Leave Sections Blank
It is not necessary to vote in every race on your ballot. Your ballot is counted even if you leave some races blank (this is an under vote).
Only One Vote per Race
Voting more than once for a question or race will cancel that vote (this is an over vote). The part of the ballot that is not over voted will be counted.
Getting a new Ballot
If your ballot becomes lost, damaged, or spoiled you can get a replacement by calling the Elections Office at 425-388-3444. Replacement ballots are available until Election Day at 8:00 pm. Our office is located at the Snohomish County Courthouse complex. The address is 3000 Rockefeller Ave, on the first floor of the West Administration Building.
Secrecy Envelope
Put your voted ballot inside the secrecy envelope. Then placed the sealed secrecy envelope into the purple return envelope. The secrecy envelope is to keep your ballot private. Your ballot will be accepted even if you do not use the secrecy envelope.
Purple Return Envelope
Read the affidavit on the return envelope. You must sign the return envelope that has your name on it. We cannot accept ballot envelopes with out a signature, or the wrong signature. We make every effort to contact you to correct any signature issue that we find. If you are unable sign your normal signature, have two people witness your signature and sign in the space indicated for witnesses.
Do not enclose more than one ballot inside the same purple return envelope.
Return Your Ballot
If you do not wish to return your ballot by mail, you can drop your ballot at any of the 24-hour Secure Ballot Drop Boxes in Snohomish County. Ballots can be returned in any box at any time of day. Drop boxes will not be staffed. See your ballot insert for more information.
Ballots returned by mail must have enough postage and be postmarked no later than Election Day.
Notice
Every voter has the right to vote his or her ballot in secret. Any person attempting to vote when he or she is not entitled or who falsely signs the affidavit shall be guilty of a felony, punishable by imprisonment for not more than five years or a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars, or both such fine and imprisonment.
Last Update: October 2010