705,000 ballots back in Washington as drop boxes take over

Washington State Secretary of State Steve Hobbs reported that 705,231 ballots had been returned by Friday afternoon. This figure represents 13.7% of the state's 5.15 million registered voters. The state is currently tracking a turnout rate that is 0.2 percentage points lower than the 13.9% recorded at the same stage in the 2022 election.

The primary method of return has shifted away from the United States Postal Service. Drop boxes received 66.4% of all returned ballots. Voters in Jefferson County are returning ballots at the fastest rate, with 32.8% of their total in hand. Five other counties, including San Juan, Asotin, Thurston, Lincoln, and Skagit, have surpassed the 20% threshold. King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties, the state's most populous, account for 47% of the total volume of returned ballots.

Hobbs stated that he does not expect the final turnout for the November 3 general election to exceed the 64.6% mark set in 2022. He noted that voters often engage more deeply during competitive high-profile races, such as the U.S. Senate contest held four years ago. Without a similar statewide anchor this year, participation levels may remain steady.

Election officials have urged voters to avoid mailing ballots due to reduced postal service and distant processing centers. Since August, the Postal Service has not postmarked mail-in ballots on the day of receipt. Hobbs advised that those mailing ballots should do so at least one week before Election Day. He also recommended that voters visit local post offices next week to request an immediate postmark from a clerk.

The shift in voting methods follows data from the August primary, where more than 20,000 ballots were rejected for late postmarks. In the current cycle, 4,229 ballots have been challenged. Of these, 2,026 had signature mismatches on the return envelope, and 1,374 lacked a signature entirely. Voters with these ballots will be given an opportunity to cure the errors and have their votes counted.

The state is managing increased friction with the federal government. Hobbs described the current environment as a constant push and pull, noting that the federal government has shared less real-time security information than in past cycles. The U.S. Department of Justice has threatened election officials with criminal prosecution if noncitizens vote. Federal authorities have also issued more than 60 subpoenas for individual voter records.

Hobbs said his office is reviewing the subpoenas to ensure compliance with state and federal laws. He added that the state is monitoring the situation in California, where the Trump administration has sued to prevent the counting of ballots alleged to be cast by noncitizens. Washington Attorney General Nick Brown has filed a legal brief opposing the federal demand. Federal monitors are expected to be present in some counties, including King County and the 3rd Congressional District.